Biotechnological potential of North Sea salt marsh plants—a review of traditional knowledge

Extreme environments are characterised by wide variations in physical factors. Tidal flats and their adjacent salt marshes along the North Sea coast experience this type of variability on a daily, seasonal and annual basis. Plants and animals living in these extreme environments have to adapt to these, at times rapid, changes. This can be done by developing specific physiological responses which often encompass the synthesis of unusual chemicals. A number of salt marsh plants have traditionally been used for medical, nutritional or even industrial purposes. Here, examples are presented for these plants.