Saltmarsh
Saltmarsh occurs on soft, shallow shores in sheltered coastal areas and estuaries. It generally occupies the upper, vegetated portions of intertidal mudflats, lying approximately between the mean high water neap tides and mean high water spring tides. Characteristic species include glasswort, sea aster and common saltmarsh grass. The plant species found in saltmarsh show a clear zonation according to the frequency of inundation by tidal waters. Saltmarshes are important feeding ground for migrating and wintering bird species, including widgeon, redshank and teal. Saltmarshes support a specialized invertebrate community, many of which are confined to saltmarshes and are nationally scarce.
Saltmarshes are widely distributed around the UK coastline, with an estimated 45,500 ha. However just over 10 sites account for 60% of this total area.
In the Tees Valley Saltmarsh is a rare habitat, occurring in fragmented areas around Teesmouth. The extent of land reclamation on the Tees Estuary has reduced this habitat to a narrow belt in most areas. Key sites include patches along Greatham Creek, Seal Sands and Greenabella Marsh.
