Estuaries are among the world’s most productive natural ecosystems. The interaction between land and water resources leads to virtually unrivaled productivity that supports major coastal fisheries around the globe. More than two-thirds of the recreationally and commercially important fishes in the United States depend on tidal wetlands and associated estuarine waters for nursery and spawning grounds, and for some states, more than 90 percent of these species depend on the marsh–estuary complex. The location of tidal wetlands along the coastlines worldwide has made them important places for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds. Wetlands provide food and resting areas...

Tidal wetlands are typically low-lying areas subject to tidal flooding. They are associated with saltwater embayments and tidal rivers along the coastline (Plate 1). These coastal wetlands include both nonvegetated and vegetated areas that either are inundated by salt or brackish water or are strictly freshwater areas where water levels are under tidal influence.

Flooding by tidal water is the common denominator of all tidal wetlands. It is the driving force that creates and maintains these habitats. Tidal flooding is highly variable, ranging from twice daily at low elevations to a few times a year at the highest levels (Plate...

To identify plants using this book, you will need a basic understanding of the plant characteristics that are used in the keys and mentioned in the species descriptions. The book focuses on identification of vascular plants—plants with vascular tissue for moving fluids through the plant (i.e., xylem for moving water and phloem for moving food). Vascular plants include seed-bearing plants such as trees, shrubs, and flowering herbs; spore-bearing plants such as ferns and fern allies (e.g., horsetails); but do not include algae, mosses, or lichens, which lack these conducting systems. Prominent marine macroalgae and freshwater stoneworts are also referenced...

For plant identification, a set of dichotomous keys are provided, followed by a section containing plant descriptions and illustrations. Be sure to read the introduction to Plant Descriptions and Illustrations following the keys as it explains the structure of the descriptions and other pertinent details.

Thirteen keys are provided to identify tidal wetland and aquatic plants found in this northeastern region of North America. Vegetative characteristics are emphasized because plants flower at different times of the growing season, which means flowers may not be present at the time of observation. Wetland plants in flower can be readily identified through the...

The following descriptions and illustrations are intended to present characteristics useful in confirming that the plant in hand is the illustrated species. Each species entry includes the common name; references to scientific names (current and the more recent former name); plant family (common and scientific names); description of life form (including maximum height), leaves, flowers, and fruits; flowering period (throughout its range); if applicable, the fruiting period; habitats (tidal and nontidal); wetland indicator status; range; and similar species. All measurements are in English units (inches and feet) because most readers in the United States are more familiar with them than...