Structural Control of Drainage Morphology of Salt Marshes on St. Catherine's Island, Georgia

摘要

A combination of photogrammetric, topographic, and field analyses showed that significant structural control by relict beach ridges is exerted on development of drainage morphology of salt marshes on St. Catherine's Island, Georgia. Structural control was indicated by bifurcation ratio, juncture angle, and most clearly, in preferred orientation of channels, which was strongest in second order channels. Factors affecting structural control included stream order, basin size, and type of juncture. The principal mechanism of control was lateral confinement of chanels by ridge remnants eroded below the marsh surface; extent of control appeared related to depth of channel incision below marsh surface.