1. Tidal Salt Marshes Nova Scotia’s treasures in the mud Jen Frail-Gauthier Dalhousie University December 17, 2014

2. What is a tidal salt marsh?

3. Zonation – marine to terrestrial

4. The influence of Tides

5. Salt Marsh Zones Mudflat Mudflat – Tide 2x daily – No grasses – Algal films – Lots of marine fauna – Birds love it! – The youngest

6. Salt Marsh Zones Low Marsh Low Marsh – Tide 2x daily – Cord grass (Spartina alterniflora) – Marine species dominate – Soft sediment like the mudflat

7. Salt Marsh Zones High and Mid marsh High and Mid marsh – Only covered at highest tides – Channels and barren areas – Salt marsh hay (Spartina patens) and many other plants – Terrestrial animal species – Highly rooted and organic sediment

8. Salt Marsh Zones High Transition zone High Transition zone – Rarely inundated with tidal water – Freshwater runoff – Mature terrestrial plants and shrubs – Terrestrial animals – Highly rooted and organic sediment

9. Plants and animals THRIVE (they don’t just survive) 1. Why is the marsh so harsh? 2. What do plants and animals to do survive and thrive here?

10. The Importance of Salt Marshes

11. Services of Salt Marshes 70% of commercial fish use them! 70% of commercial fish use them! Food/nesting sites for birds! Food/nesting sites for birds! Bacteria break down wastes Bacteria break down wastes Natural filtration systems Natural filtration systems Absorb water and energy from storms Absorb water and energy from storms

12. The Importance of Wetlands

13. Salt Marsh Threats

14. Did you know: Only 1% of the grass production is directly consumed --- where does this energy go?

15. Treasures in the Mud

16. What can YOU find, and is there a pattern? 1.Split into FOUR groups to examine a washed sample of mudflat, low, middle and high marsh sediment under the dissecting microscope 2.Look for the organisms on the ID keys 3.What kinds of animals do you see? How many of them are there? LOOK, ID, RECORD LOOK, ID, RECORD 4. Compare your results with the rest of the class to look at all the zones– are they different?

17. Thanks for sharing my love of the mud! @CoastalSEASIDE jfrail@dal.ca