Coastal salt marshes are distributed widely across the globe and are considered essential habitat for many fish and crustacean species. Yet, the literature on fishery support by salt marshes has largely been based on a few geographically distinct model systems, and as a result, inadequately captures the hierarchical nature of salt marsh pattern, process, and variation across space and time. A better understanding of geographic variation and drivers of commonalities and differences across salt marsh systems is essential to informing future management practices. Here, we address the key drivers of geographic variation in salt marshes: hydroperiod, seascape configuration, geomorphology, climatic region, sediment supply and riverine input, salinity, vegetation composition, and human activities. Future efforts to manage, conserve, and restore these habitats will require consideration of how environmental drivers within marshes affect the overall structure and subsequent function for fisheries species. We propose a future research agenda that provides both the consistent collection and reporting of sources of variation in small-scale studies and collaborative networks running parallel studies across large scales and geographically distinct locations to provide analogous information for data poor locations. These comparisons are needed to identify and prioritize restoration or conservation efforts, identify sources of variation among regions, and best manage fisheries and food resources across the globe.

沿海盐沼分布在全球各地，被认为是许多鱼类和甲壳类物种的重要栖息地。但是，有关盐沼渔业支持的文献主要是基于一些地理上不同的模型系统，结果，盐沼模式，过程和时空变化的层次性不足。更好地了解盐沼系统之间的地理差异以及共性和差异的驱动因素，对于通知未来的管理实践至关重要。在这里，我们讨论盐沼地理变化的主要驱动因素：水文时期，海景构造，地貌学，气候区域，沉积物供应和河流输入，盐度，植被组成和人类活动。未来的管理，保存，为了恢复这些栖息地，需要考虑沼泽内的环境驱动因素如何影响渔业物种的整体结构和后续功能。我们提出了一个未来的研究议程，该议程将提供一致的收集和报告小规模研究的变异源，以及在大规模和地理上不同的位置进行并行研究的协作网络，以为数据贫乏的位置提供类似的信息。需要进行这些比较，以确定和优先进行恢复或保护工作，确定区域间差异的根源，并最好地管理全球的渔业和粮食资源。我们提出了一个未来的研究议程，该议程将提供一致的收集和报告小规模研究的变异源，以及在大规模和地理上不同的位置进行并行研究的协作网络，从而为数据贫乏的位置提供类似的信息。需要进行这些比较，以确定和优先进行恢复或保护工作，确定区域间差异的根源，并最好地管理全球的渔业和粮食资源。我们提出了一个未来的研究议程，该议程将提供一致的收集和报告小规模研究的变异源，以及在大规模和地理上不同的位置进行并行研究的协作网络，以为数据贫乏的位置提供类似的信息。需要进行这些比较，以确定和优先进行恢复或保护工作，确定区域间差异的根源，并最好地管理全球的渔业和粮食资源。