Climate & Environment

Salt Marsh

Meaning statusEstablishedSource recordDirect document linkedWhy these are different

Definition

A salt marsh is a coastal wetland ecosystem of salt-tolerant herbaceous plants in the upper intertidal zone of sheltered coastlines, regularly flooded by tides. Salt marshes sequester carbon at rates per hectare exceeding most forests (storing it in waterlogged sediments), buffer storm surges, filter nutrients and serve as nurseries for fisheries — making them a core "blue carbon" ecosystem alongside mangroves and seagrasses.

References

www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jpBulk import source

Source imported for editorial provenance.

www.thebluecarboninitiative.orgBulk import source

This reference provides supporting context for how “Salt Marsh” is defined and used.

Overview

How it is used

The concept structures blue carbon accounting (IPCC wetlands supplement includes coastal wetlands), coastal defence planning, and habitat restoration programmes.

Why it matters

Salt marshes deliver disproportionate climate, fisheries and flood-protection value per hectare; their fate is a bellwether for coastlines under sea-level rise.