Saltmarshes have a value to humans that is based upon processes resulting from the interaction of their basic components; soil, water, flora and fauna.

These processes generate the products, services and attributes that are valued by us (Stuip et al., 2002). English Nature (2002), for example, classifies the wide range of functions and services of saltmarshes into four main groups: (Click here to view report)

• Appreciation: enjoyment of nature for health, spiritual enrichment, the provision of better living environment, cultural context and artistic inspiration.
• Knowledge: a resource for general education, scientific and historic discovery and environmental monitoring.
• Products: sustainably harvested products, such as food, fuel, medicines and construction materials.
• Ecosystem services: provision of basic life-supporting structures, including the maintenance of air, soils and climate and the mitigation of flooding and pollution.

These main groups can be divided into 25 categories relevant to saltmarsh in England and Wales.

However value is established, it is important to appreciate the link between the ecological processes taking place in a saltmarsh and the worth that it provides to people. This means that (Stuip et al., 2002):

• the values a saltmarsh provides depend upon its characteristics and processes; and
• the worth of values that a saltmarsh can provide is dependent on the way that it is managed.

The following pages briefly examine and discuss the value of saltmarsh, with particular reference to those areas that are of key importance to coastal managers, namely flood and coastal defence, ecosystem and conservation importance; and palaeoecology and archaeology. A summary of the concepts surrounding the economic value of the functions and services is also provided.

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