sediment budgets

A sediment budget is a way to track the amount of sediment—such as sand, silt, and gravel—coming into and leaving a particular area, like a river or coastline. It helps us understand whether an area is gaining sediment (building up) or losing it (eroding). This balance depends on natural processes like erosion, deposition, and water flow, as well as human activities like construction or dam building. Monitoring sediment budgets is important for managing landscapes, preventing erosion, and maintaining habitats, ensuring the stability and health of ecosystems and infrastructure over time.