We measured eight soil abiotic factors that might affect plant morphology (organic matter, total nitrogen, total carbon, porewater salinity, water content, bulk density, soil hardness and water depth). The abiotic factors in an ecosystem are all the nonliving elements (air, water, soil, temperature) while the biotic factors are all the living organisms in that ecosystem. In combination, these habitats serve as critical nursery grounds providing protection and feeding grounds for both resident and coastal species.