Tidal Management: Consequences for the Salt-Marsh Vegetation1

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Abstract
The construction of a storm-surge barrier in the mouth of the Eastern Scheldt will allow complete control of the tidal conditions in the estuary. In order to indicate the limiting conditions for tidal management for the plant species, a number (10) of the most prominent salt-marsh angiosperms were tested for their tolerance against elongated inundation times of 2, 4 and 8 days. Criteria such as: die back, regrowth, generative development and seed germination were measured. The results indicate that for the majority of salt-marsh angiosperms a prolonged inundation is not likely to cause immediate die back. Only the species from the higher reaches of the marsh are severely affected by the impact of the barrier closure at high water levels. All species involved show a decreasing immersion tolerance with increasing water temperatures, with a subsequent die back of the less tolerant species. In contrast with the vegetative parts of the species, the inflorescences suffer an overall severe negative effect from prolonged immersions. This leads to the conclusion that prolonged summer inundations have to be avoided as much as possible.

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