Aquatic Vegetation can have a significant effect on the hydrodynamics of a coastal system,  causing large changes in the local ecosystem. Not only does the reduction in incident wave power protect the shoreline from erosion, the plants also cause a reduction in water velocities, and can cause sediment accretion, alter the exchange of chemicals between the substrate and the water column, and create sheltered environments for many living creatures. A good understanding of the effects of aquatic plants would allow engineers to assess the current protection of shorelines, and to design natural-looking protection for at-risk areas. 

       For my project, I undertook to determine the change in wave heights caused by modeled emergent aquatic vegetation. This could be used to estimate the effects of plantings on sediment resuspension rates, shoreline erosion, and wave reflections.