What are publicly owned lands below the watermark of high tide known as?

Publicly owned lands below the watermark of high tide are referred to as coastal wetlands. This terminology encompasses various types of ecosystems located along coastlines that are periodically flooded by tidal waters. Coastal wetlands play a critical role in the environment by providing habitat for numerous species, protecting shorelines from erosion, and acting as natural filters for pollutants.

Coastal wetlands specifically include marshes, estuaries, and mangroves, which all share the characteristic of being influenced by tidal waters. They are vital for maintaining the health of coastal ecosystems, serving both ecological functions and benefits for local communities.

In contrast, other terms like estuarine lands, imperiled wetlands, and coastal lands do not exclusively define publicly owned lands below high tide. Estuarine lands refer to regions where freshwater from rivers meets saltwater from the ocean, which can include but is not limited to wetlands. Imperiled wetlands highlight a conservation context, focusing on wetlands at risk of degradation or loss. Coastal lands is a broader term that might refer to any land along the coast, not specifically those submerged or impacted by tidal waters. Therefore, coastal wetlands is the most accurate term for publicly owned lands beneath the watermark of high tide.