text: explain the similarities and differences between salt marsh and mangrove communities?   the main similaritiy between the two is that they are both located salt water tidal zones. salt marshes are collections of a variety of marsh grasses and plants, while mangroves are small woody trees/shrubs with tangles of large, extensive root systems. salt marshes can exist in a variety of temperate areas, but mangroves only exist where water temperatures exceed 75 degree f in the summer.   the rise and fall of the tides is the important ecological feature that allows the creation and sustainance of these unique habitats. if the grasses/mangroves were constantly submerged, they would suffocate and die. if they never were submerged, they would not receive the constant replenishment of nutrients carried in by the rising water. there are also important chemical processes that are triggered in these tidal zones (usually related to the cycle of conditions where oxygen is available (low tide) and not available (high tide.)  both salt marshes and mangrove swamps are important habitats for fish, crabs, shore and wading birds, and other animals. however, the animals that inhabit the two may be different.