Figure 5.19 | Biogeomorphic climate feedbacks involving plant biomass, sediment accretion and inundation that control the response of vegetated coastal ecosystems to rising sea levels. (A) Under high rates of soil formation plants are able to offset gradual sea level rise (SLR) and may produce a negative feedback by increasing the uptake of atmospheric CO2. In addition, below ground root production contributes to the formation of new soils and consolidates the seabed substrates. (B) Under low rate of soil formation, and when SLRs exceed critical thresholds, plants become severely stressed by inundation leading to less organic accretion and below ground subsidence and decay, producing a positive feedback by net CO2 outgassing. This figure does not consider landward movements, controlled by topography and human land-use.
