In many environments exhibiting rapid geomorphic change, landscapes evolve by a combination of physical, biological, and anthropogenic forces. In my research, I aim to better understand how these coupled processes influence the formation and survival of large scale landscapes, and how they respond to climate change.  The couplings are particularly strong in tidal marshes, where I concentrate most of my research. Of course, these ecomorphodynamic couplings apply to landscapes beyond marshes. Hillslopes in the southeastern United States, for example, may be dominated by their dense vegetation cover. In this direction, I’m currently attempting to apply lessons learned from marsh ecogeomorphology towards modeling sediment transport on hillsopes due to tree throw and other biologically mediated process.

For recent publications, please see:
http://people.virginia.edu/~mlk4n/website.htm