Natural Processes Along the VMD Coast
摘要
This chapter illustrates the natural processes that have taken place in coastal environments along the VMD coast. These processes included the morphological evolution of intertidal mudflats and the natural growth of mangrove species in areas experiencing severe erosion. The evolution of intertidal mudflats was recorded in two natural coastal environments, and the growth of the mangrove species was observed in two areas experiencing severe erosion along the VMD coast. The evolution of these intertidal mudflats depended on favourable hydrological characteristics, such as low incident waves, a sufficient supply of fine-grained sediment, and the growth of mangrove trees from floating seeds. The natural mangrove growth in eroding areas was influenced by floating mangrove seeds and microsites that entrapped marine debris and the aerial roots of mangrove species. These processes were not complete until human exploitation of coastal resources was eliminated.