Salt Marsh State Rank: S3 - Vulnerable

algae (seaweeds) are also prominent in this part of the salt marsh. At its lower edge, the salt marsh surface may be colored by algal mats that grow on or in the mud. Low salt marsh grades into mud flats with seagrass beds. High marsh extends from the lower high tide level to the high spring tide level and has more freshwater influx. The dominant Salt Marsh showing shrubby uplands and internal micro-topography. Diagram: K. Percival, NHESP. salt-hay and saltmarsh spike -grass have limited tolerance for submergence in salt water. commercially important fish and shellfish. due to the sensitivity of plants to the Description: Salt Marshes develop in At the upper edge of the high marsh, Resident and migratory waterfowl and length of inundation. Pannes occur areas between high spring-tide and mean- black-grass, seaside goldenrod, switch shore birds nest and feed in them. Salt throughout with highly saline water or salt tide in estuaries and behind barrier grass, sea lavender, and marsh elder grow. marshes protect the coast from damaging incrusted mud with only very salt-tolerant beaches and spits where they are subject Above the high marsh is brackish marsh surf, protect adjacent lowlands from plants like widgeon grass, glassworts, and to tides but sheltered from wave energy. with cattails and giant reed grass (both flooding, and help absorb and breakdown saltworts. Low marsh extends from mean There are wide variations in temperature, native and exotic invasive varieties). water contaminants. level of salinity, and degree of inundation. sea level to the lower high tide mark. It is Upper edges where freshwater enters from dominated by saltwater cordgrass, a stiff, Differentiating from Related Examples with Public Access: the upland may be brackish. Salt marshes coarse plant that grows in virtually Communities: Salt Marsh is flooded Parker River NWR, Newbury; Salisbury are structural mosaics with salt shrub, unbroken stands and was once used for by salt water (annual average salinity Marsh, Salisbury; Great Marshes, high and low marsh, tidal creeks, and roof thatch. Associated plants include >18ppt). Dominated by saltwater Barnstable; Nauset Marsh, Eastham; pannes (poorly drained depressions). Salt saltmarsh sea-blite, glasswort, and salt cordgrass and salt hay, it looks grassy. Great Sippewissett Marsh, Falmouth. marsh plants reduce wave erosion, capture marsh sand - spurrey. Macroscopic marine Brackish Tidal Marsh has salinity levels sediments around their bases, and create a between fresh- and salt water (0.5-18 ppt). peat from their roots and fallen leaves. The vegetation is mixed with saltmarsh bulrush, salt reedgrass, and narrow-leaved Salt Characteristic Species: cattail. Freshwater Tidal Marsh lacks Marshes in Massachusetts are dominated Flooded salt panne in a Salt Marsh. Photo: saltwater cordgrass and salt hay, and has by saltwater cordgrass and salt-hay -- Joanne Singfield, NHESP. sweet flag, wild rice, climbing hempweed, perennial salt tolerant grasses. Inundation and other broadleaved herbaceous plants. by tides causes distinct vegetation bands It is flooded by freshwater (salinity <0.5 Salt Marshes are graminoid dominated, ppt). tidally flooded coastal communities Habitat for Associated Fauna: developed on peaty material in areas Salt Marshes comprise a very productive protected from wave energy in estuaries and behind barrier beaches; Flooded salt panne in a Salt Marsh. Photo: ecosystem. They provide a nursery for Salt Marsh with windblown grasses. Photo: Joanne Singfield, NHESP. many marine species including Joanne Singfield, 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