We introduce a new approach to observe the impact of vegetation on tidal flow retardation and retention at large spatial scales. Using radar interferometry and in situ water level gauge measurements during low tide, we find that vegetation in deltaic intertidal zones of the Wax Lake Delta, Louisiana, causes significant tidal distortion with both a delay (between 80 and 140 min) and amplitude reduction (~ 20 cm). The natural vegetation front delays the ebb tide, which increases the minimum water level and hydro‐period inside the deltaic islands, resulting in better conditions for wetland species colonizing low elevations. This positive feedback between vegetation and hydraulics demonstrates the self‐organization functionality of vegetation in the geomorphological evolution of deltas, which contributes to deltaic stability.

中文翻译：

---

植被促进三角洲湿地的水流阻滞和滞留


我们引入了一种新方法来观察植被对大空间尺度潮汐流延迟和保留的影响。使用雷达干涉测量和低潮期间的原位水位计测量，我们发现路易斯安那州蜡湖三角洲的三角洲潮间带的植被会导致明显的潮汐畸变，并伴有延迟（80 至 140 分钟之间）和振幅减小（~ 20 厘米）。自然植被锋面延迟了退潮，从而增加了三角洲岛屿内的最低水位和水周期，为低海拔湿地物种的栖息提供了更好的条件。植被和水力学之间的这种正反馈证明了植被在三角洲地貌演化中的自组织功能，有助于三角洲的稳定。