Wave-Energy Dissipation: Seaweeds and Marine Plants Are Ecosystem Engineers

Ocean waves deliver an immense amount of energy to coasts around the planet, powering high-velocity flows that interact with nearshore marine plants and animals. Although some these interactions are beneficial, it is often advantageous for subtidal intertidal ecological communities if wave-induced water velocities can be reduced by safely dissipating wave energy. This function fulfilled seaweeds plants, which thereby act as ecosystem engineers, modifying environment benefit community. Recent advances in hydro-mechanical theory help explain mechanisms vegetation dissipates energy, highlighting role organisms’ tendency bend flow—their structural flexibility—plays their ability engineer flows. Here, I review theories application salt marsh seagrasses, mangroves, seaweeds, focusing on ways serves a foundational community function.