Temperate Coastal Wetlands: Morphology, Sediment Processes, and Plant Communities

Abstract

This chapter encompasses general aspects of wetlands along this continuum, including wetland environments below the highest astronomical tide which experi- ence direct tidal inundation, with decreasing frequency and duration as a function of increasing elevation within the tidal frame, and those wetlands landward where the water table is linked to the sea-level influence. For simplicity, these are referred to in this chapter as “intertidal” and “perimarine” wetlands, respectively. However, more detailed descriptions on the geographical variations will focus on intertidal wetlands, particularly on salt marshes, given that tidal freshwater wetlands will be covered thoroughly in a different chapter of this book. In the following sections, we aim to illustrate the main geomorphic and sedimentary development processes, factors that control zonation of vegetation (including disturbance and successional change), their geographic variation glob- ally, and major modification by human activities. The section on geographic variation will compare these wetlands from different localities within the tempe- rate zone. The impacts of climate change are briefly discussed and future sustain- able management techniques are outlined, which demonstrate how coastal wetlands can offer humanity a means of environmental protection and improved quality of life.