Tidal channels in the Venice Lagoon are crucial for shaping the landscape, but we don't know much about how they form. By studying meanders in small tidal creeks, researchers found that most channels start by cutting through salt marshes, not tidal flats. They identified different types of deposits like salt-marsh, point-bar, and tidal-flat deposits, and discovered that the channels are deeply incised into the salt marshes. This research helps us understand how tidal channels evolve and can guide conservation efforts in tidal environments facing climate change and human impacts.