What kind of animals live in the estuary?
Some other examples of mammals that live in the estuary are opossums, raccoon’s and otters. Since the estuary is such a harsh climate, any animal that is able to survive is a dominant species. Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Why are estuaries important to animals and plants?
Estuaries also provide extremely valuable protection against the the stormy waters of the ocean, providing a safe haven for the thousands of species that use estuaries as nursing and feeding grounds.
Which is the dominant species in the world?
The Dominant Animals Species can be functional species or groups (species with a similar ecological role) that, as mentioned, are influential in their environment, as well as common and conspicuous.
What are the soil conditions in an estuary?
Soil Conditions: The soil conditions in the estuary biome are not very suitable for plants to live in. Since an estuary is located where a body of freshwater and a body of saltwater meet (typically the ocean and the river), the water is very salty and hard to use for survival. The salty water then seeps into the soil,…
What kind of animals live in an estuary?
There are also different animals that live in each of these different habitats. Fish, shellfish, and migratory birds are just a few of the animals that can live in an estuary. The Chesapeake Bay, as one example, includes several different habitats. There are oyster reefs where oysters, mud crabs, and small fish may be found.
Why are fish so important to the estuary?
Many of the fish we eat depend upon estuaries. They are sheltered places where fish can have their young and the young fish can grow before moving out into the open ocean. Without estuaries, the number of fish in our oceans would decrease greatly. Occasionally, water in certain areas of the estuary can dry up and all that is left is a mud flat.
How are plants and animals adapted to live in estuaries?
In almost all estuaries the salinity of the water changes constantly over the tidal cycle. To survive in these conditions, plants and animals living in estuaries must be able to respond quickly to drastic changes in salinity. Plants and animals that can tolerate only slight changes in salinity are called stenohaline (Sumich, 1996).
What do animals eat in an estuarine food web?
An estuarine food web contains the following elements: Phytoplankton. Detritus (dead organic matter). Microscopic animals known as zooplankton eat some of the phytoplankton. Larger estuary animals such as filter-feeding worms, shellfish and hungry young fish feed on the zooplankton and detritus.
