For the Instructor
These student materials complement the Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society Instructor Materials. If you would like your students to have access to the student materials, we suggest you either point them at the Student Version which omits the framing pages with information designed for faculty (and this box). Or you can download these pages in several formats that you can include in your course website or local Learning Managment System. Learn more about using, modifying, and sharing InTeGrate teaching materials.Coastal Wetlands and Maritime Forests
What is a coastal marsh? What are mangroves and what role do they play in capturing sediment and anchoring substrate? How can the presence of extensive marsh platforms and mangrove forests help to reduce inland storm surges and flooding?
Coastal wetlands and maritime forests are unique communities of vegetation that can exist along coastal zones. They are directly affected by coastal conditions including changes in water level due to tides, coastal river influx, fresh water, salt water, wave activity, wind, and salt spray, and storm surges. Inasmuch as they are communities uniquely synced to the conditions of their environment, even subtle changes in one condition can cause widespread deleterious changes to the plants themselves.