Brackish Tidal Marsh State Rank: S2 - Imperiled

with switchgrass, common Cross section showing characteristic species of Brackish Tidal Marsh bulrush, seaside-goldenrod, rose- mallow, saltmarsh sedge, and bentgrass. Salt reedgrass occurs in small stands at the edge of the high marsh. Low marsh supports saltmarsh cordgrass and common three-square. Mudflats and shores support sparse herbs such as saltmarsh-fleabane, water pimpernel, Atlantic mudwort, and creeping spearwort. Plants of freshwater tidal marshes Diagram: Brian Reid occasionally occur in the higher zones of brackish marshes. The brackish marsh mud flat zone is rich Description: Brackish Tidal Marshes Differentiating from Related Habitat for Associated Fauna: occur the middle of a salinity gradient in organic sediments and grades into This community provides outstanding Communities: Brackish Tidal along stretches of free-flowing coastal adjacent less organic brackish mud flats general wildlife habitat, with abundant Marshes are geographically limited to rivers where salt and freshwater mix. that may support eelgrass and be food sources for migratory and wintering short stretches of tidal rivers where Although flooded twice daily by incoming classified as Seagrass Communities. waterfowl, and is generally associated salinity is between fresh and salt water tides, freshwater from the river dilutes Rocky shores of Brackish Tidal Marshes with river reaches with spawning habitat levels and along the upper edges of Salt saltwater carried upstream by the tides. are sparsely vegetated with low growing for anadromous fisheries. Smaller patches also occur along the annuals on small patches of shallow soils Marshes where freshwater enters from edges of salt marshes near freshwater subject to erosive forces from the river. uplands. Saltmarsh bulrush and salt Examples with Public Access: transition areas. Tidal amplitude ranges up Higher gradient or larger rivers best reedgrass occur in brackish conditions. West Newbury Conservation Area, West to 150 cm (comparable to freshwater tidal support this habitat type. Salt Marshes: saltmarsh hay and saltmarsh Newbury; Willow Brook Farm Preserve marshes), while average annual salinity is cordgrass are dense and dominate in (Wildlands Trust), Pembroke; Stetson Characteristic Species: Brackish 0.5-18 ppt. Brackish Tidal Marshes are saline conditions. Salt Marshes have less Meadows, Norwell; Mounces Meadow, Tidal Marshes are characterized by mixed structurally diverse with high marsh, low diverse vascular plants than do Brackish Marshfield. herbaceous somewhat salt tolerant plants. marsh, mud flats, rocky shores, and the Tidal Marshes. Freshwater Tidal Marshes Narrow-leaved cattail typically dominates river channel. Lower zones are inundated are in coastal streams; the presence of the high marsh, with frequent stands of longer with saltier water in each tidal sweet flag and wild rice indicate fresh invasive common reed and less frequent cycle. High marsh is dominated by water, not brackish or salt. Freshwater stands of native North American reed. grasses and sedges. It begins with an Tidal Marshes lack salt tolerant plants. Freshwater cordgrass and saltmarsh abrupt bank of peat 1-3 feet above mean Long’s bittercress, estuary arrowhead, and bulrush occur along the banks, associated low water. High marsh is generally more estuary beggar-ticks, although shared with developed along lower gradient rivers. Brackish Tidal Marshes, most commonly The Brackish Tidal Marsh community is Low marsh is usually limited to small occur in freshwater situation. Lilaeopsis, often found in stretches of coastal rivers stands below the bank of the high marsh Atlantic mudwort, water-pimpernel, on muddy or rocky sloping shores that where salt and freshwater mix, and Parker’s pipewort, and Eaton’s beggar- result from deposition and scouring. consists of mixed herbaceous vegetation ticks grow in both Brackish and Mud flats have sparse low-growing plants. that is flooded by daily tides; Freshwater Tidal Marshes, but are more Brackish Tidal Marsh. Photo: Bruce Sorrie, likely in brackish marshes. NHESP.

From: Classification of Natural Communities of Massachusetts htthttpp://www;mass;gov/nhesp/://www;mass;gov/nhesp/ Updated: 2016 Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Division of FishFisheeriesries & Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd;, Westborough, M! 01581 (508) 389-6360