Provided for non-commercial research and educational use only. Not for reproduction, distribution or commercial use. This chapter was originally published in the book Coastal Wetlands: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach. The copy attached is provided by Elsevier for the author s benefit and for the benefit of the author s institution, for non-commercial research, and educational use. This includes without limitation use in instruction at your institution, distribution to specific colleagues, and providing a copy to your institution s administrator. All other uses, reproduction and distribution, including without limitation commercial reprints, selling or licensing copies or access, or posting on open internet sites, your personal or institution s website or repository, are prohibited. For exceptions, permission may be sought for such use through Elsevier’s permissions site at: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/permissionusematerial From Paula D. Pratolongo, Temperate Coastal Wetlands: Morphology, Sediment Processes, and Plant Communities. In: Gerardo M. E. Perillo, Eric Wolanski, Donald R. Cahoon, Mark M. Brinson, editors, Coastal Wetlands: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach. Elsevier, 2009, p. 89. ISBN: 978-0-444-53103-2 ª Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. Elsevier.