SALT MARSHES

WHAT IS A SALT MARSH?

Marshes are wetlands made up of grasses and other non-woody plants. One plant, smooth cord grass, dominates most of the salt marshes in eastern North America.

TIDAL WETLANDS
Salt marshes are tidal wetlands growing in salty water. Generally the water is less salty than the ocean, but too salty to drink.

QUIET WATERS
Salt marshes are found mostly in quiet waters especially in bays and lagoons and in the mouths of creeks and rivers.

TIDES
The tides bring water in and out of the salt marsh. The tug of the moon's gravity makes the water rise and fall. The sun 's gravity also pulls, but not as much.

http://saltmarshlife.com/salt-marsh/what_is_a_salt_marsh.html

TIDE TABLE

SALT MARSH FIELD TRIP

From YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HXyTMnj7ac

FAUNA

AVIFAUNA

ATLANTIC AND GULF COASTS

PACIFIC COAST

WORLDWIDE

SALT MARSH PRODUCTIVITY

Coastal salt marshes are regarded as one of the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world. The marshes energy is driven by the breakdown of marsh grasses into small plant particles called detritus. The detritus is broken down by bacteria which then fuels the food web, beginning with phytoplankton (algae) and moving to zooplankton (microscopic animals), invertebrates and estuarine fishes. The food web of the salt marsh also extends outward to include larger open-water fishes, local and migratory birds, and marine mammals. Salt marshes also provide shelter and serve as an excellent nursery ground for a large variety of marine species. The grasses provide camouflage for juvenile fish and invertebrate species, and also help to protect against larger predators. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/northwest/Ecosys/section/restoration.htm

HUMAN IMPACT

HUMAN IMPACT

HUMAN IMPACT

STORMS

RESTORATION

Ecosystem Restoration Section ( of the Florida Department of Environmental Protections Northwest District

LAND AREA CHANGE IN COASTAL LOUISIANA (1932 TO 2010)

From YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNkCml_VRcE& feature=relmfu