Simone Lawson
Tidal wetlands are areas that are inundated by tides, with water sources from ocean tides. They are found along the coasts of the United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific and Gulf coasts, and are closely linked to estuaries, where saltwater mixes with freshwater. Tidal wetlands are dynamic ecosystems that provide vital habitats for a diverse range of species, including birds, fish, insects, and plants. They are characterized by their water levels and vegetation, with salt marshes and mud flats being common along the New York shoreline. These wetlands are essential for storm protection, shoreline stabilization, and flood control, while also supporting unique species that rely on fluctuating water levels for survival. Tidal wetlands are also a source of recreation for humans, offering opportunities for exploration by kayak or canoe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Areas where the land meets the sea |
| Water Source | Ocean tides |
| Location | Found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Alaskan and Gulf coasts |
| Vegetation | Grasses, grass-like plants, mangroves, shrubs, trees, water lilies, wild rice, arrowheads, cattail, cordgrass, arrow arum, pickerel weed, cutgrass |
| Wildlife | Clams, crabs, juvenile fish, migratory waterfowl, wood ducks, river otters, cottonmouth snakes, red maple, pin oak, overcup oak, cypress, willows, western hemlock, moose, deer, lynx, greater sandhill crane, sora rail, great gray owl, fish, birds, reptiles, oysters |
| Functions | Buffer stormy seas, slow shoreline erosion, absorb excess nutrients, recharge groundwater, moderate streamflow, reduce flood damage, reduce flooding, provide food and habitat for wildlife, protect inland areas from storm surges |
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What You'll Learn
Tidal salt marshes, mudflats, and sand flats
Tidal wetlands are areas inundated by tides and have water sources from ocean tides. Tidal salt marshes, mudflats, and sand flats are coastal ecosystems found in intertidal areas between land and saltwater. They are regularly flooded by tides, but due to their elevation, they are safe from intense flooding and only undergo small and frequent tidal events.
Mudflats, also known as tidal flats, are coastal wetlands that form in intertidal areas where sediments have been deposited by tides or rivers. They are found in sheltered areas such as bays, bayous, lagoons, and
Salt marshes are another type of tidal wetland that forms in areas where saltwater floods and retreats, leaving behind mud that teems with life, attracting thousands of birds to feed. Salt marshes are found along sheltered coasts and are characterised by vegetation adapted to saline conditions, including certain grasses and grass-like plants. They provide vital food and habitat for clams, crabs, juvenile fish, and migratory waterfowl, and they help buffer stormy seas and slow shoreline erosion. Like mudflats, salt marshes are also threatened by coastal development, pollution, and sea level rise.
Tidal salt marshes and mudflats are interconnected ecosystems. Mudflats can transition into salt marshes over time as the accumulation of sediments and the presence of tides create environmental conditions for salt-tolerant species to thrive. These species gradually colonise the mudflats, and with the presence of vegetation, they slowly transform into salt marsh ecosystems.
In summary, tidal salt marshes, mudflats, and sand flats are vital coastal ecosystems that support a diverse array of flora and fauna. They play crucial roles in preventing coastal erosion, absorbing excess nutrients, and providing habitat for numerous species. However, these ecosystems face significant threats, and conservation efforts are needed to ensure their protection and survival.
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Mangrove swamps
The leaves of mangroves have specially adapted glands that secrete the salt they take in and have a waxy covering that prevents water loss, allowing them to survive in saline environments. Mangrove swamps are rich habitats, supporting a diverse range of animal species, including birds such as the snowy egret, white ibis, and frigatebirds, as well as mammals and reptiles like monkeys, manatees, crocodiles, and American alligators. The mangrove roots provide shelter for smaller animals, such as various species of crabs, snails, barnacles, and oysters. The thick vegetation and organic matter in mangrove swamps make them ideal nursery habitats for larval shrimps and crabs, as well as providing food for many fish species.
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Tidal freshwater marshes
Tidal wetlands are areas that are inundated by ocean tides and can be a source of freshwater, brackish water, saline water, or alkaline water. Tidal freshwater marshes are a type of tidal wetland characterised by their location and the vegetation they support.
These marshes are subject to regular diurnal flooding and provide vital food and habitat for species such as clams, crabs, and juvenile fish. They also offer shelter and nesting sites for several species of migratory waterfowl, such as the Great Egret (Casmerodius albus). The presence of these marshes helps to slow shoreline erosion and absorb excess nutrients before they reach the oceans and estuaries.
The vegetation in tidal freshwater marshes varies with salinity, duration of inundation, and disturbance. Some common plant species found in these marshes include arrow-arum (Peltandra virginica), dotted smartweed (Persicaria punctata), wild rice (Zizania aquatica var.), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata var. cordata), and rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides). The marshes provide the principal habitat for the globally rare plant sensitive joint-vetch (Aeschynomene virginica).
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Saltwater and freshwater marshes
Saltwater marshes, also known as salt marshes, are coastal wetlands that are regularly flooded and drained by saltwater brought in by the tides. They are found on every coast in the United States, with approximately half of the nation's salt marshes located along the Gulf Coast. Salt marshes are characterised by dense stands of salt-tolerant plants such as herbs, grasses, or low shrubs, which are essential for the stability of the ecosystem. They play a crucial role in the aquatic food web and provide food and habitat for various species, including clams, crabs, juvenile fish, and migratory waterfowl. Salt marshes also protect shorelines from erosion, absorb excess nutrients, and reduce flooding by slowing down and absorbing rainwater.
Freshwater marshes, on the other hand, are wetlands with hydric soils that are frequently inundated with water. They have a lengthy growing season and high nutrient levels, contributing to a high net primary production. Common plants in freshwater marshes include cattails, water lilies, arrowheads, and rushes. These marshes provide habitat and nesting sites for a variety of birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and macro-invertebrates. Similar to saltwater marshes, freshwater marshes also play a role in flood mitigation by slowing down the rate at which water travels. They also have the ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere through carbon sequestration, storing a significant amount of the world's organic carbon.
Both saltwater and freshwater marshes are vital ecosystems that provide numerous ecological services. Saltwater marshes, with their ability to withstand saline conditions, serve as buffers against stormy seas and provide essential habitats for marine life. Freshwater marshes, with their high nutrient levels and lengthy growing seasons, support a diverse range of plant and animal life, while also offering recreational opportunities such as fishing and bird-watching. The presence of both types of marshes contributes to the overall health and stability of their respective environments.
It is important to note that marshes, in general, are facing threats such as coastal development and pollution, which have led to significant losses of tidal marsh areas. However, the recognition of their ecological importance has resulted in increased efforts towards restoration and protection, with many states enacting laws to safeguard these valuable ecosystems.
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Tidal marsh birds, fish, and plants
Tidal marshes are found along rivers, coasts, and estuaries, and they are influenced by tidal movements. They are differentiated into freshwater, brackish, and salt marshes, depending on the salinity of the water. Salt marshes are challenging environments for most plants, but some grasses and grass-like plants have adapted to the saline conditions. These include black grass, seaside goldenrod, and spike grass. In the high marsh, salt water collects in low-lying areas during high tide, creating high-salinity soil where sea lavender, glasswort, and salt marsh plantain grow. Brackish marshes are dominated by tall reed-like plants, such as cattails and common reeds.
Freshwater tidal marshes are home to a variety of plants, including sweetflag, pickerelweed, arrow-arum, and bulrushes. Wild rice provides food for migratory birds, such as wading birds, which have long, thin legs and long bills for probing soft sediments for prey. Birds of prey, or raptors, are also found in tidal marshes, hunting and feeding on larger animals such as mice, reptiles, fish, and other birds. Raptors have hooked beaks, sharp talons, and exceptional vision. Songbirds, with their unique calls and songs, are another group of birds found in tidal marshes.
Tidal marshes provide spawning grounds and habitats for feeder fish and juvenile fish species, as well as nurseries and resting areas for many fish and shellfish species. They are also home to snapping turtles, water snakes, mollusks, and insects. These marshes are highly productive ecosystems, serving as habitats and food sources for a multitude of animals.
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Frequently asked questions
Tidal wetlands are areas where the land meets the sea and are periodically flooded by seawater during high or spring tides. They are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Alaskan, and Gulf coasts.
Tidal wetlands are home to many species of fish, birds, reptiles, crabs, oysters, and other animals. They also provide vital food and habitat for clams, crabs, and juvenile fish, as well as offering shelter and nesting sites for migratory waterfowl.
Plant communities in tidal wetlands tend to be highly productive and diverse. Some examples of vegetation include water lilies, wild rice, arrowheads, and grasses and grass-like plants that can adapt to saline conditions.
Some examples of tidal wetlands include salt marshes, mud flats, mangrove swamps, and tidal freshwater marshes. In New York, some tidal wetlands include Iona Island, Piermont Marsh, Tivoli Bays, and Stockport Flats.
