EstuariesPayton 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.

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).

More on Marshes

Estuaries in the United States

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.

U.S. Estuaries

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

Biodiversity

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.

Benefits from 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

Environmental Damage to Estuaries

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.

How Can We Help?

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). (2010). Salt Marshes. Retrieved from http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/saltmarshes.htm

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/Global-Warming/Effects-on-Wildlife-and-Habitat/Estuaries-and-Coastal-Wetlands.aspx

Citations

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.journal-tes.dk/vol_9_no_1__page_15/no%204%20%20Zarrinem%20Ayub%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.html

C., Tommy, and B., Kyle (n.d.). Estuary Home. Retrieved from http://biomesfourth09.wikispaces.com/Estuary+Home

Citations (2)

National Wildlife Federation (n.d.). Global Warming Impacts on Estuaries and Coastal Wetlands. Retrieved from http://www.nwf.org/Global-Warming/Effects-on-Wildlife-and-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

Citations (3)