Ecology

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Ecology

• Biomes Salt Marsh

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Aquatic Salt-water Biomes
Temperature
Warm
Cold
Mangrove Salt Marsh
Coral Reef Kelp Forest (submerged)/Rocky Intertidal (shoreline)
Low
Energy
High
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Geographic Distribution
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General Characteristics

• Low energy
• Temperate zoneexperience frost
• Near shore environment
• Low diversity environmentbut
• High productivity

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Vegetation

• Spartina and Juncus are dominant
• C4 grasses (special adaptations to high light)
• Specially adapted to salt and water

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Sunlight, salt, and water make it hard!!
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High productivity

• Salt marshes are often called nurseries
• High productivity, but where does it go?
• Fisheries are very dependent upon salt marsh

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High productivity

• High productivity has been exploited for 1000s
  of years by people
• Shell middens are evidence of this e.g. Cedar Key
  shell mound

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Threats to Salt Marsh

• Biggest threat is development and habitat loss
• People like to live on coast and this is large
  impact
• Pollution from industry (e.g. paper industry) and
  residential
• Over fishing

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You cant have big houses AND salt marsh!!