Tidal wetlands support a variety of fish, shellfish, birds, and wildlife; buffer storm surge on inland areas; and filter pollutants and nutrients from storm water runoffs into coastal waters. Natural rise in sea level and man-made stresses (influxes of people and development) can stress this environment and cause change and loss of the wetlands. Because of their economic, recreational, and environmental importance we need to understand how wetlands respond to these stresses.

A clump of sabal palm clings to the bank of a tidal creek near the Suwanee River in Florida.

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