This seminar is part of the Tuesday Seminar Series organized by the Center for Hydrogeology and Geothermics (CHYN) at the University of Neuchâtel. We are pleased to welcome Samuel Zapp from Louisiana State University, who will discuss the physical dynamics of tidal marshes and their role for flood protection.

Abstract
Tidal marshes are simultaneously some of the most ecologically productive and morphologically active landscapes on Earth. They provide crucial ecosystem services and flood mitigation benefits, while their local emergence or retreat may occur on decadal timescales. Therefore, tidal marshes and human activity in coastal areas are strongly interrelated. I will first present model results which demonstrate the inherent fragility of marsh platforms and their co-evolution with the wider landscape. Then I will focus on some ongoing work on the U.S. Pacific Coast. Here we combine state of the art numerical models with basic financial models in order to assess whether tidal marsh restoration is an economically viable alternative (or complement) to traditional flood protection infrastructure.