Abstract： Salt marshes are amongst the most valuable ecosystems on earth, yet facing ubiquitous cliff erosion at marsh edges on a global scale. Understanding the mechanisms on the formation and evolution of marsh edge cliffs has become an urgent necessity in the field of earth science. However, due to the complexity of marsh habitats at the interface between land and sea, our knowledge on marsh edge cliffs remains elusive. Here, through a literature review, we examined research on cliff erosion at marsh edges worldwide, to provide a better understating on cliff erosion at marsh edges. Firstly, by reviewing the influence of environmental factors such as hydrodynamic forces, sediment substrates, and biological processes, we discussed the coupling effects of these factors at different spatiotemporal scales. Secondly, we conceptually elucidated the prevalent frameworks in terms of “differential deposition fluctuation”, “self-organization”, and “auto-cyclic retreat”. By analyzing their differences and connections, we further discussed the comprehensive mechanisms on the formation and evolution of marsh edge cliffs. Thirdly, the development process and application scope of relevant mathematical models on marsh edge cliff formation and evolution are introduced and discussed. Lastly, we proposed several problems to be solved following the current transdisciplinary research trend on hydrodynamics, geomorphology and ecology. Future researches on the formation and evolution mechanism of marsh edge cliffs would be beneficial for deepening the current insights into saltmarsh erosion and degradation, that can be used to identify early warning signals of vulnerable habitats and to guide ecological restoration in the face of global change and anthropogenic impacts.