2.3 Get Out of My Swamp

Salt marshes and swamps are vital ecosystems that provide: habitats for diverse species, protect coastlines from erosionThe process by which rocks and soil are worn away, which contributes to the geological incorporation of isotopes like strontium and lead., and play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. Their creation and longevity are heavily influenced by dynamic feedback loops between biological, geological, and chemical processes, until recent years where human actions have led to the destruction of swamps and saltmarshes.

Salt Marshes

Salt marshes are coastal wetlands that are regularly flooded by seawater and characterised by: their unique vegetation of salt-tolerant plants such as cordgrass and glasswort, the strong influence of tides, which bring nutrients and sediments, and the ecosystem servicesIntangible products that provide a skill, experience, or benefit rather than a physical item. such as nurseries for marine life, filter for pollution, and shoreline protection from storm surges.