@article{PAR00003591,
  title = {{A} better understanding of mud cracking processes gained from in situ measurements on an intertidal mudflat in {F}rench {G}uiana},
  author = {{G}ardel, {A}. and {P}roisy, {C}hristophe and {L}esourd, {S}. and {P}hilippe, {S}. and {C}aillaud, {J}. and {G}ontharet, {S}. and {A}nthony, {E}. {J}. and {B}rutier, {L}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{R}ecent work has revealed that desiccation processes can occur over elongated off-shore mud bars that form on {A}mazon-derived mud banks. {O}nce mud cracks appear there, opportunistic mangroves, i.e. {A}vicennia germinans, commence the colonization process. {T}hrough the advantage of buoyancy of the mangrove propagules which can be trapped by the mud cracks, propagules can establish sometimes 1-2 kilometres offshore of the adult colonies. {I}n a few months, these pioneer colonies become new sources of propagules, promoting rapid ecosystem expansion. {T}hus, mud cracking may be seen as an important factor in mangrove resilience. {T}o investigate this phenomenon, a field experiment was conducted during the 2008 equinoctial spring tide in {F}rench {G}uiana in a study area located on the landward face of an elongated mud bar. {A} digital elevation model ({DEM}) was computed from {DGPS} and high-resolution laser station data. {M}eteorological data including air temperature and humidity, wind speed and orientation, rainfall, solar radiation, temperatures of the mud surface and at a depth of 30-cm, were recorded. {A}dditionally, the water content of the upper mud layer was monitored along a topographic transect. {A}n installed camera took instant photographs every half hour. {P}reliminary results show that climatic conditions are not the main parameter controlling the desiccation process. {S}trengthening and consolidation of mud are mainly controlled by mud elevation (water loss by draining) and by the local tidal signal (determinant in spatial behaviour). {T}he {DEM} enabled computation of the tidal frequency emersion signal, an important tool in analyzing the spatio-temporal patterns of mud cracking and mangrove colonization.},
  keywords = {mud bank ; desiccation ; neap tide ; spring tide ; mangrove colonization},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {C}oastal {R}esearch},
  volume = {1},
  numero = {{S}p. {I}ss. 56},
  pages = {424--428},
  ISSN = {0749-0208},
  year = {2009},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/{PAR}00003591},
}