Wetland3P Model

A 3-point dynamic model for the morphological evolution of a backbarrier basin composed by marshes and mudflats. The model simplifies the geometry of a backbarrier tidal basin with 3 variables: marsh depth, mudflat depth, mudflat width. These 3 variables are evolved by sediment redistribution driven by wave processes. Sediment are exchanged with the open ocean, which is an external reservoir. Organic sediments are produced on the marsh platform.

Key reference: Mariotti, G. and J. Carr, Dual role of salt marsh retreat: Long-term loss and short-term resilience, 2014. Water Resources Research 50, 2963-2974. doi:10.1002/2013WR014676.

Key datasets:

The model is available in the CSDMS model repository: http://csdms.colorado.edu/wiki/Model:Wetland3P

InputsMarsh vegetation and mudflat sediment characteristics, backbarrier basin width, reference wind speed, tidal range, reference sediment concentration
OutputsMarsh depth, mudflat depth, mudflat width
Time scaleDecades to millennia
LanguageMatlab

Example of model output (from Mariotti and Carr 2014)