Microbial Diversity and Resources in Tidal Flats

Book excerpt: Tidal flats are widely distributed worldwide, occupying at least 127,921 km2, of which 70% are located in coastal areas of Asia, and North and South America. As a confluence of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, tidal flat is dually influenced by these two ecosystems and becomes one of the most productive ecosystems. Rhythmic changes of environmental factors (e.g., salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, illumination intensity, ocean current, etc.) and frequent disturbances of human behaviour enhance organic matter as well as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur compounds in tidal flats. Furthermore, tidal flats have various important ecosystem functions, including climate regulation, shoreline stabilization, carbon fixation, pollutant degradation, etc.