Spectral wave energy dissipation by a seagrass meadow: integrating analytical and empirical models

Waves propagating across partially emerged and submerged vegetation (such as a seagrass meadow) gradually lose energy due dissipation generated by the drag forces exerted by the vegetation elements (e.g., stems, blades, etc.) (Mendez and Losada, 2004). How vegetation characteristics influence wave dissipation is important to quantify how a canopy affects the physical processes that ultimate lead to the attenuation of waves. However, field studies on wave dissipation in seagrass meadows have often not considered the impact of plant flexibility on both in-canopy flows and wave attenuation. In this study we aim to (1) understand how wave interactions with flexible seagrass canopies affect wave dissipation, (2) assess the role of flow modifications by canopies to explain frequency-dependent wave dissipation, and (3) evaluate the role of flexibility on wave attenuations relative to assuming rigid canopy flow theory.