Understanding the ecological linkages between salt marsh ecosystems and nearshore fisheries

Abstract

Salt marshes are some of the most productive ecosystems on the planet however they continue to experience severe threats from human activities. These ecosystems have been increasingly recognized for their capacity to sequester large amounts of carbon and keep pace with sea level rise. Salt marshes provide numerous other ecosystem services including improving water quality and reducing flooding for coastal communities, however their importance for nearshore fisheries is often poorly understood and quantified. Many species of marine fish and crustaceans including those that hold commercial value utilize salt marshes at some point throughout their life history. Salt marshes offer refuge and an abundance of food resources making them ideal nursery habitats. Salt marshes contribute more to nearshore fisheries than just the direct export of juvenile fish. When fish and other nekton move between salt marshes and nearshore environments they act as biological vectors moving energy and nutrients mainly in the form of their biomass. Large amounts of detrital matter from salt marshes are moved by the tides providing another important source of energy and nutrients to nearshore food webs. This paper synthesizes existing research in relation to the ecological linkages between salt marshes and nearshore fisheries in order to better understand the importance of salt marshes for fish. An improved understanding of these linkages may provide support for undertaking salt marsh restoration and conservation efforts. Keywords: Salt marsh, energy and nutrient linkages, fish, biotic vector, abiotic vector, tides