Transcript Estuaries
Estuaries
Payton Collins
December 1st, 2011
The Basics and Terminology
An estuary is the area in which
rivers meet the sea.
One of the most productive
ecosystems in the world.
Estuaries are partially enclosed.
Seawater mixes with freshwater,
nutrients, and pollution from
rivers, and streams and land
runoff.
Must be adaptable to daily and
seasonal changes in tidal and
river flows, and land runoff of
eroded soil sediment and other
pollutants.
Salinity alone can increase or
decrease 20% in a season.
More on Marshes
Coastal wetlands are land areas covered with water all
or part of the year.
Found around estuaries
Examples include river mouths, inlets, bays, sounds
(narrow stretches of water forming an inlet or
connecting two wider areas of water such as two seas
or a sea and a lake), salt marshes (in temperate zones),
and mangrove forests (the tropical zone equivalent of
salt marshes).
Estuaries in the United States
U.S. Estuaries
88,000+ miles of coastal wetlands
100+ estuaries
Louisiana- home to 40% nation’s coastal wetlands
Chesapeake Bay – nation’s largest estuary
This estuary alone supports more than 3,600 species of
plants, fish and animals.
Biodiversity
Typical animals in estuaries~
Shellfish (oysters, crabs, lobsters)
Shore and sea birds
Raccoons, skunks, opossums (attracted by plants and
animals)
Typical plants in estuaries~
Salt meadows
Mangroves
Cordgrass
Benefits from Estuaries
Estuaries provide ecological and economic services~
Filter toxic pollutants, excess plant nutrients, sediments,
and other pollutants.
Reduce storm damage; absorb waves and store excess
water produced by storms and tsunamis.
Provide food, habitats, and nursery sites for a variety of
aquatic species.
Environmental Damage to Estuaries
Global Climate Change
Algal bloom, invasive species, estuary climate/water
temperature changes
Pollution from upland areas
Dams block nutrient flow
Extreme weather conditions
Floods, hurricanes, storms
How Can We Help?
Currently developed/developing solutions~
Enhancing the natural defenses provided by wetlands,
barrier islands and reefs.
Supporting the natural replenishment of sediments
from rivers and beaches.
Protecting inland buffers to enable habitats to migrate.
Citations
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
(2010). Salt Marshes. Retrieved from
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/saltmarshes.ht
m
Miller, Jr. G. T. (2007). Living in the Environment: Principles,
Connections, and Solutions (15th ed.). Belmont, CA:
Thomson Higher Education.
Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
(SCCWRP). (2011). Project Group: Coastal Wetlands and
Estuaries. Retrieved from http://www.nwf.org/GlobalWarming/Effects-on-Wildlife-and-Habitat/Estuaries-andCoastal-Wetlands.aspx
Citations (2)
Ayub, Zarrien (2010). Effect of Temperature and Rainfall as
a Component of Climate Change on Fish and Shrimp Catch
in Pakistan. The Journal of Transdisciplinary Environmental
Studies, vol. 9, no. 1. Retrieved from http://www.journaltes.dk/vol_9_no_1__page_15/no%204%20%20Zarrinem%20A
yub%20(high).pdf
U.S. Department of the Interior. (2007). The Role of Climate
in Estuarine Variability. Retrieved from
http://sfbay.wr.usgs.gov/hydroclimate/climate_role/part2.h
tml
C., Tommy, and B., Kyle (n.d.). Estuary Home. Retrieved
from
http://biomesfourth09.wikispaces.com/Estuary+Home
Citations (3)
National Wildlife Federation (n.d.). Global Warming
Impacts on Estuaries and Coastal Wetlands. Retrieved from
http://www.nwf.org/Global-Warming/Effects-on-Wildlifeand-Habitat/Estuaries-and-Coastal-Wetlands.aspx
Estuaries. (n.d.). The Encyclopedia of New Zealand (online).
Retrieved from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/estuaries/3
New Hampshire Public Television. (2011). Estuaries.
Retreived from
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep6a.htm