Estuarine wetlands are primarily influenced by which of the following?

Estuarine wetlands are ecosystems located where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean. This mixing creates unique environmental conditions that are significantly influenced by tidal movements and salinity gradients. Tidal waters bring in salt and nutrients, which impact the types of vegetation and wildlife that can thrive in these areas. Salty marshes, which are often adjacent to estuarine wetlands, contribute to the overall salinity and ecological characteristics of the wetlands.

In contrast, freshwater lakes and low salinity reservoir areas primarily contribute to freshwater environments rather than the brackish conditions typical of estuarine ecosystems. Similarly, while high groundwater levels can affect wetland hydrology, they do not specifically define the characteristics of estuarine wetlands, which are predominantly shaped by tidal flows and salinity. The integration of saltwater and freshwater is critical to the definition and functioning of estuarine wetlands, making tidal waters and salty marshes the primary influencing factors.