Water and mud? Communicating and visualising wetland geomorphology for non-specialist stakeholder engagement

Wetlands exhibit a range of geomorphological responses to external controls, as well as internal forms and processes. Yet when engaging with non-specialist stakeholders, complex biophysical responses and feedbacks in wetlands tend to be simplified to focus on water (i.e. presence/absence, flow regimes, inundation patterns, extreme events) and/or mud (i.e. soil/sediment type, deposition, erosion, nutrient/contaminant load). Here, we develop and present an infographic to demonstrate the interactions between water and mud in wetlands, and to tease out some of the more complex processes such as erosion, sedimentation and channel change in an appropriate format for non-specialist stakeholders. We address how changes in the location, extent and integrity of channels within wetlands can lead to significant changes in inundation and aquatic ecosystem responses, as well as to flow-on effects for biota, habitats and agricultural productivity. Targeted and appropriate communication and visualision of geomorphological issues is needed to move collectively towards the development of long-term strategies for holistic and adaptive management, conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.