Role of mangroves in wind-wave climate modeling – A review

• Published in: Journal of coastal conservation Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 1 - 14
• Main Authors: Amma, Parvathy Krishnapillai Geethakumari, Bhaskaran, Prasad Kumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Science + Business Media 01.04.2020; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Climate change; Climate effects; Climate models; Coastal management; Coastal Sciences; Coastal zone; Coastal zone management; Coastal zones; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment models; Extreme waves; Geography; Gravitational waves; Gravity waves; Mangroves; Modelling; Nature Conservation; Oceanography; Parameterization; Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry; Reviews; Shorelines; Surface gravity waves; Wave attenuation; Wave climate; Wave dissipation; Wave forecasting; Wave predicting; Wind waves; Mangroves; Wind-waves; Indian seas; Modeling
• ISSN: 1400-0350; 1874-7841
• DOI: 10.1007/s11852-020-00740-0

Globally, there has been dedicated research on mangrove ecosystems, however, the modeling of wave-mangrove interaction is seldom considered in the operational wave prediction for vegetated coastlines. This review work apprises on the significant impact of mangroves on surface gravity wave characteristics. Prediction and quantification of wave attenuation characteristics by mangroves is an essential pre-requisite for coastal zone management activities along a mangrove dominated shoreline. Nevertheless, the dynamic impact of waves on mangroves is missing in the current regional wave forecasting systems. In this review article, the scientific advancements in wave-mangrove interaction studies are elucidated and focus on its significance in an operational wave modeling scheme for the Indian coast. The relevant studies on wave dissipation by mangroves and other vegetation; its nonlinear interaction in the presence of currents and extreme waves, and the need for improving its parameterization are considered distinctly. The study also highlights the importance to predict the futuristic scenarios of wave attenuation characteristics in mangrove dominated regions which are highly sensitive to effects from climate change. The authors believe that the research on dynamics of wave-mangrove interaction in India has an extensive scope, and possible future endeavors towards a realistic nearshore wave modeling along mangrove dominant coasts are presented in the concluding remarks.