Non-tidal marshes are the most prevalent and widely distributed wetlands in North America. They are mostly freshwater marshes, although some are brackish or alkaline., Nontidal wetlands are inland, freshwater areas not subject to tidal influence. They are typically areas where the water table is at or near the surface, or the land is covered by shallow water., Tidal wetlands occur along the coast where tidal flooding occurs, whereas nontidal wetlands are beyond the reach of the tides. Water in tidal wetlands comes mainly from ocean-driven tides, while precipitation, river overflow, and groundwater are major sources of water for nontidal wetlands., There are three major groups of wetlands: marine, tidal, and non-tidal. Marine wetlands occur in coastal shallows. Tidal wetlands also occur in coastal areas but inland from the ocean. These are often referred to as estuaries and are affected by tides. Non-tidal wetlands occur inland and are not subject to tidal influences., The Palustrine System includes all nontidal wetlands dominated by trees, shrubs, persistent emergents, emergent mosses or lichens, and all such wetlands that occur in tidal areas where salinity due to ocean derived salts is below 0.5 parts per thousand., Several water flow paths are defined: inflow, outflow, throughflow, bidirectional-tidal, bidirectional-nontidal, and isolated (geographically isolated; often surrounded by nonhydric soils). Find more information on NAWM’s LLWW Classification page and in this story map from the University of Montana..