Animation on tidal flows

The movement of tides create patterns across the shore. We call the area between the highest and lowest tides the ‘intertidal’. The frequency and duration of inundation by tides influences the types of plants that can grow in intertidal areas. The elevation of the land relative to the tide established the distribution of plants on the shore and where coastal wetlands occur.

The tides are generated primarily due to the relative position of the moon, sun and earth. These generate the astronomic tide, which can be predicted using models. The highest high tide that can be predicted is called the highest astronomical tide (HAT) and the lowest low tide the lowest astronomical tide.

Above is a simple simulation of tidal levels from the lowest astronomical tide to the highest astronomical tide at a coastal wetland.

Mean Sea Level (MSL) is established by gravity and ocean circulation which varies at continental scales.

Coastal wetlands can store more organic carbon than terrestrial ecosystems per unit area, and do so at faster rates. Preserving and restoring these ‘blue carbon’ ecosystems can be a powerful option to help mitigate climate change.

Understanding how these ecosystems are distributed and the influence of tides will be crucial to estimate the carbon storage and sequestration potential of these ecosystems.

The project, coastal carbon – Australia’s blue forest future is undertaking this challenge by partnering with BHP to map and estimate the climate mitigation potential of these blue carbon ecosystems around Australia.