VCR researchers have developed models to explore alternative stable state dynamics and threshold responses for lagoon bottoms (vegetated vs. bare), marsh boundaries (marsh vs intertidal flat), barrier island shoreface (low vs. high dunes), and marsh platforms (marsh vs. open water. Models for the marsh-upland transition and island-upland vegetation dynamics (grass vs. shrub) are in development. In addition, larger scale system connectivity is being explored using a range of models including the open-source Delft3D coastal hydrodynamic model.
