The survival of salt marshes, especially facing future sea-level rise,
requires the supply of sediment. Sediment can be supplied to salt
marshes via two routes: through marsh creeks and over marsh edges.
However, the conditions of tides and waves that facilitate sediment
import through these two routes remain unclear. To better understand
when and how sediment import towards salt marshes occurs, measurements
spanning two months were conducted in Paulina Saltmarsh. The results
show that the marsh creek and the marsh edge do not import sediment
simultaneously. The marsh creek tends to import sediment during neap
tides with waves. A small tidal range results in weaker flow during ebb
tides, reducing the export of sediment. Strong waves, particularly
during this period, enhance the sediment supply from mudflats to the
marsh creek. Additionally, waves can directly affect sediment
re-suspension in the marsh creek during spring tides when the water
level is above the marsh canopy. The marsh edge benefits from
contrasting tidal and wave conditions, with sediment imported during
spring tides with weak waves. Waves during spring tides re-suspend
sediment, impeding the sediment deposition, and thus leading to sediment
export over the marsh edge. These results highlight the potential
sediment transport routes to marshes under varying conditions, shedding
light on their implications for the long-term survival of salt marshes.