Estuaries

Partially enclosed body of water that is open to the sea/ocean(salt h2o) and has rivers and streams(freshwater) running into it.

What is an estuary?

Marine characteristics◦ Salinity◦ Tides◦ waves

Freshwater characteristics◦ Flow of freshwater◦ Flow of sediments

(sand, silt, gravel)

Has characteristics of BOTH marine and Freshwater environments

Abiotic Factors◦ pH◦ Salinity◦ Dissolved Oxygen◦ Turbidity◦ Lat/Long.◦ Observation of

weather

Biotic Factors◦ Number of fish◦ Types of fish◦ Other Organisms we

observe/catch

Type of Data we will collect

Type of estuary◦ Located in the intertidal zone between land and

salt/brackish water◦ Dominated by salt tolerant plants◦ Important for environment

to the food web and export nutrients to water Provide habitats for birds and other land animals Serve as nurseries for juvenile fish Protect coast from erosion from hurricanes

What is a salt marsh?

Plant Succession

Genus Species-Spartina Alterniflora-Common Name-”SmoothCordgrass”

Genus Species- Spartina patensCommon Name- saltmeadow cordgrass

Genus species- Salicornia virginicaCommon name-Pickleweed

Genus species- Batis maritimaCommon Name- turtleweed

Genus- JuncusCommon Name- Rush

Terrestrial Animals- Birds

Intertidal animals-Fiddler Crab

Possible Fish species