Tidal freshwater marshes

 

Tidal freshwater marshes are found farther upstream from the coast than salt and brackish marshes or mangroves. They are close enough to the coast to experience the influence of tides, but at the same time are above the reach of the ocean’s saltwater. These wetlands are generally vegetated by a diverse group of plants including grasses, sedges, rushes, broad-leaved aquatic plants, and soft-stemmed aquatic plants. This type of wetland hosts a wide variety of organisms, including fish, which are attracted by the dense vegetation, rapid production of detritus, refuge for juveniles, spawning areas, and abundant food resources. The fish communities (estuarine, marine, and migratory fish) found in tidal freshwater marshes are complex and change seasonally depending on hydrological conditions. Fish often utilize the portions of the marsh that are closest to the river because these areas are deeper and are flooded more regularly.