Characteristic Mid-Atlantic Wetland Type - Freshwater Tidal Marsh

Freshwater tidal marshes occur in estuaries where freshwater from rivers and streams meets ocean tides. By definition, marshes are frequently or continually inundated and characterized by soft-stemmed vegetation. Although tides dominate the rise and fall of the water in freshwater tidal marshes, the wetlands themselves are not salty.

While they occur world-wide, the mid-Atlantic region is a hotspot for well-mixed estuaries and freshwater tidal marshes. Most waterways that drain into the Chesapeake Bay produce freshwater tidal marshes. These wetlands are known for high species diversity, including some plant species native to the Atlantic coastal plain such as the narrow-leaved spatter dock and the sensitive joint vetch.