Experiments in a giant wave machine show how salt marshes blunt storm waves, and where their protection runs out

Summary

Researchers transported sections of salt marsh to an experimental facility capable of producing the world's largest artificial waves, to test how these ecosystems could protect coastlines from huge storms. Salt-marsh sediment and vegetation remained largely intact even during extreme storm surges, and the marsh platforms resisted erosion under extreme waves. Vegetation damage, however, reduces wave attenuation. Substantial wave attenuation by vegetation is mainly limited to low-energy marsh coasts with waves below 1 m. A related Nature report says salt-marsh plants can shield inland areas from big waves, but only up to a point, because large storms cause progressive damage. Phys.org says the results show how salt marshes can contribute to natural coastal protection in the Netherlands and beyond.

Timeline

1. Nature

   21 Oct 2026, 00:00 UTCSource ↗

   Nature reports that scientists put a salt marsh in a giant wave machine, showing how these ecosystems could protect coastlines from huge storms.

2. Nature

   21 Oct 2026, 00:00 UTCSource ↗

   Nature reports that salt-marsh plants can protect inland areas against huge waves, but seemingly only up to a point, and big storms cause progressive damage.

3. Nature

   21 Oct 2026, 00:00 UTCSource ↗

   Nature's research article reports that salt-marsh platforms resist erosion under extreme waves, but vegetation damage reduces wave attenuation, which is mainly substantial on marsh coasts with waves below 1 m.

4. Phys.org

   21 Oct 2026, 20:40 UTCSource ↗

   Phys.org reports that salt marsh sediment and vegetation can remain largely intact during extreme storm surges, based on a large-scale experiment in which marsh sections were moved to a facility producing the world's largest artificial waves.