Mud flats are expanses of coastal land that are covered by shallow water at high tide and exposed during low tide. Synonyms for mud flats include mudflats, tidal flats, salt marshes, mangrove swamps, estuaries, delta flats, intertidal wetlands, and intertidal zones. Each of these terms implies a different type of environment, from the brackish and nutrient-rich water of estuaries to the thick and tangled mangrove roots of swamps. The terms can also be used to describe the plants and animals that live in these environments, such as oysters, clams, crabs, and other creatures that thrive in the nutrient-rich mud. Synonyms for mud flats highlight the diversity and complexity of these important coastal ecosystems.