Estuaries-Location
An estuary is an area where sea water mixes with fresh water. Estuaries can be found along the coast. Each day as tide rises, salt water is brought into the estuary. Fresh water comes down the rivers and creeks and mixes with the saltwater. During the dry season there may not be much fresh water flowing down the rivers. This can make the estuary very salty. Also, during the dry season water evaporates out of the estuary making it even more salty. If you have ever tasted the water in the ocean, you know it is very salty. Estuaries can become even saltier! (But don't try tasting the water, not only will it taste bad, but it can be bad for your health.)
Estuaries-Producers
There are three types of producers that live in estuaries: Macrophytes, which are large, multicellular algae also known as seaweed, and phytoplankton, which is the photosynthetic component of plankton consisting primarily of single celled bacteria.
Estuaries-Abiotic factors
Temperature in the estuaries also varies and this is because they are very shallow. The water temperature changes depending on the temperature of the air. These changes can happen over the long period of a season or in as little time as one day. The unique position of estuaries, where rivers or other fresh water sources meet the ocean, makes the physical and chemical characteristics unlike any other body of water. The salinity is one factor of estuaries that changes all the time. When the salt water and fresh water mix, they separate from each other because they have different densities. The fresh water stays on the top, whereas the salt water stays on the bottom, forming what is known as a salt wedge. The abiotic factors of an estuary are: water, salt, chemicals, minerals, rocks, and air.
Densities The thickness of a substance
Whereas In comparison with the fact
Densities The thickness of a substance
Whereas In comparison with the fact
Estuaries-Biotic factors
Biotic factors are also very important to an estuary. The biotic factors are the primary producers, consumers, and predators. Phytoplanktons play a major role in the estuary because they are the main producers and without them the entire ecosystem would fall apart. The zooplanktons that eat the phytoplanktons and then are subsequently eaten by grass shrimp, herring, smelt, which are then eaten by larger striped bass and lastly by predatory birds, fish, otters, seals, and humans. All of these organisms rely on each other and without one; the whole balance of the estuary would break apart.
Subsequently After a particular thing has happened
Rely A depend on with full trust or confidence
Subsequently After a particular thing has happened
Rely A depend on with full trust or confidence
Estuaries-Consumers
In an estuary, there are many consumers that prey on each other to make a unique ecosystem. There are many birds that migrate to estuaries. The birds rest or feed when they migrate there, like Canada Geese. There are long legged birds that live in estuaries to be able to stand and feed on animals in the mud bottom. They have long toes which spread the weight over a larger surface area so they don't sink in the mud. There are sandpipers, great blue herons, great egret, and green herons. There are all types of fish that live in estuaries, the two most common are Flathead and Bream. Some of the invertebrates that live in estuaries are barnacles, and bryoza. (Bryoza are microscopic organisms that live in both salt and fresh water.)
Estuaries-Decomposers
Bacteria are generally 1-2mm long and 0.5-1mm in diameter. They are the most numerous organisms in soil with more than 104 species. These species differ from each other in their physiological make-up and adaptation. Some of the decomposers in an estuary are microbes, bacteria and fungi.
Numerous Many
Physiological Of or relating to the biological study of physiology
Numerous Many
Physiological Of or relating to the biological study of physiology
Estuaries-Environmental Concern
Unfortunately, as more people flock to the shore, we are upsetting the natural balance of estuaries and threatening their health. We endanger our estuaries by polluting the water and building on the lands surrounding them. These can contribute to unsafe drinking water; beach and shellfish bed closings, harmful algae blooms, declines in fisheries, loss of habitat, fish kills, and other human health and natural resource problems.
Flock A large number or crowd of people
Flock A large number or crowd of people
Estuary food webs
Estuaries
Abiotic factors: Light, water, and soil.
Biotic factors: Zooplankton, otter, and seals.
Producers: Phytoplankton.
Consumers: Birds, shrimp, and mollusks.
Decomposers: Soil fungi.
Abiotic factors: Light, water, and soil.
Biotic factors: Zooplankton, otter, and seals.
Producers: Phytoplankton.
Consumers: Birds, shrimp, and mollusks.
Decomposers: Soil fungi.