Salt marshes, among the most abundant and fertile coastal habitats, provide numerous ecosystem services to coastal populations. Since the Middle Ages, humans have significantly altered these ecosystems through various activities, including exploitation of plant products, conversion to farmland and urban areas, introduction of non-native species, alteration of coastal hydrology, and pollution. These activities have led to profound changes in species composition, distribution, and ecosystem function, with invasive species, runaway consumer effects, and sea level rise posing the greatest threats. The best approach to protect salt marshes is through integrated ecosystem-based management, which considers the diverse services they provide and aims to preserve and enhance their ecological integrity. Salt marshes serve as natural barriers, nitrogen sinks, and important habitats for fish, crustaceans, and migratory birds, among other ecological roles. However, human activities such as land conversion, pollution, and climate change have compromised these services, leading to significant ecological impacts. The resilience of salt marshes to grazing and other disturbances is notable, but the introduction of invasive species and altered hydrology can have severe consequences. Climate change, particularly sea level rise, is a growing threat to salt marshes, and their ability to act as carbon sinks and sequester carbon is crucial for mitigating climate change.Salt marshes, among the most abundant and fertile coastal habitats, provide numerous ecosystem services to coastal populations. Since the Middle Ages, humans have significantly altered these ecosystems through various activities, including exploitation of plant products, conversion to farmland and urban areas, introduction of non-native species, alteration of coastal hydrology, and pollution. These activities have led to profound changes in species composition, distribution, and ecosystem function, with invasive species, runaway consumer effects, and sea level rise posing the greatest threats. The best approach to protect salt marshes is through integrated ecosystem-based management, which considers the diverse services they provide and aims to preserve and enhance their ecological integrity. Salt marshes serve as natural barriers, nitrogen sinks, and important habitats for fish, crustaceans, and migratory birds, among other ecological roles. However, human activities such as land conversion, pollution, and climate change have compromised these services, leading to significant ecological impacts. The resilience of salt marshes to grazing and other disturbances is notable, but the introduction of invasive species and altered hydrology can have severe consequences. Climate change, particularly sea level rise, is a growing threat to salt marshes, and their ability to act as carbon sinks and sequester carbon is crucial for mitigating climate change.