Florida's Native Plant Communities

Salt Marsh

  • Saltmarsh at Gamble-Rogers State Park. Photo by Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter

  • Saltmarsh near St. Marks. Photo by Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter

  • Saltmarsh encroaching landward due to sea level rise near Ozello. Photo by Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter

Photographs belong to the photographers who allow use for FNPS purposes only.

Information

Community Variants:

N/A

Description:

Salt marshes are found in coastal areas, primarily along low-energy shorelines and within bays and estuaries. They are inundated by seawater on a daily basis, creating distinct tidal gradients that shape plant distribution.


Vegetation

Salt marsh vegetation occurs between the low and high tidal zones. In Florida, typical dominants include:

  • Black needlerush ( Juncus roemerianus )
  • Smooth cordgrass ( Spartina alterniflora )
  • Saltmeadow cordgrass ( Spartina patens )
  • Sawgrass ( Cladium jamaicense ) – in brackish transition zones toward freshwater marshes

Species distribution is controlled by the level and duration of tidal flooding:

  • Smooth cordgrass dominates the lowest, wettest zones
  • Saltmeadow cordgrass occurs at intermediate flooding levels
  • Black needlerush dominates the highest, less frequently flooded zones
  • Sawgrass appears where salt marsh transitions into freshwater marshes

(Description paraphrased from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Salt Marshes )

References:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (n.d.). Salt marsh. https://myfwc.com/research/habitat/coastal-wetlands/information/salt-marshes/


Florida Natural Areas Inventory. (2010). Guide to the natural communities of Florida: 2010 edition. Florida Natural Areas Inventory. http://fnai.org/naturalcommguide.cfm


Knight, G. R., Oetting, J. B., & Cross, L. (2011). Atlas of Florida's natural heritage: Biodiversity, landscapes, stewardship and opportunities. Institute of Science and Public Affairs, Florida State University.


Myers, R. L., & Ewel, J. J. (Eds.). (1990). Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press.


U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. (1986). 26 ecological communities of Florida. http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000110/00001


Whitney, E. N., Means, D. B., & Rudloe, A. (2004). Priceless Florida: Natural ecosystems and native species. Pineapple Press.

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