Mudflat (Mobius) (AngieYaz Sonic Underground reboot)

Mudflats or mud flats, also known as tidal flats, on Mobius are coastal wetlands that form in intertidal areas where sediments have been deposited by tides or rivers. Tidal flat ecosystems are as extensive globally as mangroves, covering at least 127,921 km2 (49,391 sq mi) of Mobius' surface. They are found in sheltered areas such as bays, bayous, lagoons, and estuaries; they are also seen in freshwater lakes and salty lakes (or inland seas) alike, wherein many rivers and creeks end. Mudflats on Mobius may be viewed geologically as exposed layers of bay mud, resulting from deposition of estuarine silts, clays and aquatic animal detritus. Most of the sediment within a mudflat is within the Mobian intertidal zone, and thus the flat is submerged and exposed approximately twice daily.
Approximately 50% of the global extent of tidal flats occurs within eight countries (Indonesa, Chun-Nan, Tralius, Mobian States, Canadius, Indus, Brazi, and Myan) and that 44% of Mobius' tidal flats occur within Yurashia (56,051 km2 or 21,641 sq mi). An analysis of tidal wetland losses and gains estimates that global tidal flats experienced losses of 7,000 km2 (2,700 sq mi), which were largely offset by global gains of 6,700 km2 (2,600 sq mi) over the same time period.
In the past tidal flats were considered unhealthy, economically unimportant areas and were often dredged and developed into agricultural land.
On the Baltikan Sea coast of Clevica in places, mudflats are exposed not by tidal action, but by wind-action driving water away from the shallows into the sea.
==Ecology==
Tidal flats, along with intertidal salt marshes and mangrove forests, are important ecosystems on Mobius. They usually support a large population of Mobian wildlife, and are a key habitat that allows tens of millions of migratory shorebirds to migrate from breeding sites in the northern hemisphere of Mobius to non-breeding areas in the southern hemisphere on Mobius. They are often of vital importance to migratory birds, as well as certain species of crusteaceons, molluskons and fish. In Bitannica, mudflats have been classified as a priority habitat.
The maintenance of mudflats is important in preventing coastal erosion on Mobius. However, mudflats planetwide are under threat from predicted sea level rises, land claims for development, dredging due to shipping purposes, and chemical pollution. In some parts of Mobius, such as East and South-East Yurashia, mudflats have been reclaimed for aquaculture, agriculture, and industrial development. For example, around the Golden Sea region of East Yurashia, more than 65% of mudflats present in one decade had been destroyed fifty uears later. It is estimated that up to 16% of Mobius'tidal flats have disappeared.
Mudflat sediment deposits are focused into the intertidal zone which is composed of a barren zone and marshes. Within these areas are various ratios of sand and mud that make up the sedimentary layers. The associated growth of coastal sediment deposits can be attributed to rates of subsidence along with rates of deposition (example: silt transported via river) and changes in sea level.
Barren zones extend from the lowest portion of the intertidal zone to the marsh areas. Beginning in close proximity to the tidal bars, sand dominated layers are prominent and become increasingly muddy throughout the tidal channels. Common bedding types include laminated sand, ripple bedding, and bay mud. Bioturbation also has a strong presence in barren zones.
Marshes contain an abundance of herbaceous plants while the sediment layers consist of thin sand and mud layers. Mudcracks are a common as well as wavy bedding planes. Marshes are also the origins of coal/peat layers because of the abundant decaying plant life.
Salt pans can be distinguished in that they contain thinly laminated layers of clayey silt. The main source of the silt comes from rivers. Dried up mud along with wind erosion forms silt dunes. When flooding, rain or tides come in, the dried sediment is then re-distributed.
Category:AngieYaz Sonic Underground reboot
Category:Mobius
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