Living Landscapes: Present and Past Interactions Between Coastal Sediments and Biota - Sharp Lecture 2014

Explore the intricate relationship between coastal sediments and biota in this 56-minute Sharp Lecture from the 2014 AGU Fall Meeting. Delve into the fascinating world of living landscapes, examining present and past interactions that shape our coastal environments. Investigate erosion processes in modern coastal wetlands and uncover evidence of early life in sedimentary rocks. Through mathematical models and laboratory experiments, gain new perspectives at the intersection of geomorphology, ecology, and paleontology. Learn about the influence of microbes, plants, and animals on sediment transport and production in coastal settings. Discover the formation of stromatolites, wrinkle structures, and surface trace fossils, and understand their significance in Earth's history. Gain insights into how geomorphology can contribute to biological sciences and explore the complex interplay between life and sedimentary landscapes since the dawn of life on Earth.

Intro
Life influences Earth surface processes
Salt Marshes and Luna Leopold
A thought experiment: Large
Marshes)
Microbial mats & stromatolites
Stromatolites: sedimentary rocks built up my microbes
Elongated stromatolite mounds
Stromatolites)
How do wrinkle structures form?
Are wrinkle structures small wave ripples?
The limitation is sediment transport
Surface trace fossils
Wrinkle structures and trace fossils
Aggregate size
Ingredients for wrinkle structures and surface traces
Early life)
What can geomorphology do for biological sciences?
Acknowledgements