Take Action Join Us Donate  Estuaries, Salt Marshes, and
Mangrove ForestsEstuaries, Salt Marshes, and Mangroves  The
Ocean / NEXT: Continental Shelves »  Salt Marshes, estuaries,
and mangrove forests are unique ecosystems in semi-sheltered
areas near the ocean coastline. These areas often serve as
nursing grounds where young marine life is protected during
development.   A salt marsh is a marshy area found near
estuaries and sounds. The water in salt marshes varies from
completely saturated with salt to freshwater. Estuaries are
partly sheltered areas found near river mouths where freshwater
mixes with seawater. Both salt marshes and estuaries are
affected by high and low tides. Mangrove forests are found in
the intertidal zone of tropical coastlines and estuaries,
commonly in the tropical coastal areas of Australia, Africa,
North and South America between 32° N and 38° S. Mangrove
forests are made up out different types of mangrove trees and a
wide variety of plants. The mangrove tree is a tree with roots
an