Tidal marsh

[1] Tidal marshes experience many overlapping persistent cycles, including diurnal and semi-diurnal tides, day-night temperature fluctuations, spring-neap tides, seasonal vegetation growth and decay, upland runoff, decadal climate variations, and centennial to millennial trends in sea level and climate.

Tidal marshes are formed in areas that are sheltered from waves (such as beside edges of bays), in upper slops of intertidal, and where water is fresh or saline.

Location determines the controlling processes, age, disturbance regime, and future persistence of tidal marshes.

[5] Extensive research has been conducted on deltaic tidal freshwater marshes in the Chesapeake Bay,[9] which were formed as a result of historic deforestation and intensive agriculture.

[8] Tidal freshwater marshes are also highly productive,[11][5] generate a large amount of good quality biomass.

These elongated shifting landforms evolve parallel and in close proximity to the shoreline of a tidal marsh.

[15][16] Tidal marsh ecosystems provide numerous services, including supplying habitats to support a diverse range of biodiversity.

[1] Their areas are spawning grounds and home to "feeder fish" that lie low on the food chain, and serve as crucial rest-stops for migratory birds.

Additionally, they provide suitable habitat to various tidal salt marsh specialist bird species, such as the seaside sparrow (Ammospiza maritima) and the willet (Tringa semipalmata) found in tidal marshes in Connecticut, U.S.[17] Other ecosystem services include their role as significant carbon sinks and shoreline stabilizers.

[18][19] Tidal marshes provide flood protection to upland areas by storing ground water, and lessen the impact of storm surges on nearby shorelines.

Currently, rising sea levels is one of the leading threats to tidal marshes caused by global warming and climate change.