Assessing the value of seagrass meadows in coastal defence: wave attenuation properties

Dove e quando

Monday 29th of May at 2 pm in Room A6

Seminar:  
Davide Vettori  
Assegnista di ricerca  
Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Ambiente, del Territorio e delle Infrastrutture Politecnico di Torino
https://www.polito.it/personale?p=davide.vettori#ricerca

Abstract 
To simultaneously enhance the efficiency of coastal defence and improve the ecological status of coastlines, the scientific community has recently proposed the use of nature-based solutions. Seagrass have the potential to contribute to coastal protection by attenuating waves and stabilizing sediments. In this talk, I will provide an overview of how we are exploring these contributions within the remit of my MSCA Individual Fellowship with a focus on the wave attenuation by seagrass meadows. After describing the ecosystem services provided by seagrass, I will present the results of a comprehensive experimental study conducted in a flume facility with dynamically-scaled physical models. Seagrass meadows can attenuate waves significantly even at low plant densities but their effect depends on several physical factors pertaining to the wave conditions and the meadow characteristics. A novel model of wave attenuation by seagrass meadows is proposed that predicts accurately our laboratory data and those from the literature accounting for all physical factors in play. I will end the talk with an outline of the upcoming experimental activities that will explore the drag force and the effects of seagrass on sediment mobility thresholds.

Contatti

prof. Rodolfo Repetto (rodolfo.repetto@unige.it)

Ultimo aggiornamento 24 Maggio 2023