Estuary Review

Front

What is an estuary?

Back

An estuary is a coastal area where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, creating a unique ecosystem.

Front

What is a mangrove?

Back

A mangrove is a type of tree or shrub that grows in coastal saline or brackish water, often found in estuaries and providing habitat for various species.

Front

What is an ecological footprint?

Back

An ecological footprint measures the amount of land and water area required to support an individual's lifestyle, considering resource consumption and waste production.

Front

Define ecosystem.

Back

An ecosystem is a natural system composed of living organisms (plants, animals) and nonliving components (soil, air, water) interacting with each other.

Front

What is a bull shark?

Back

A bull shark is a species of shark known for its ability to thrive in both freshwater and saltwater environments.

Front

What role do estuaries play in the environment?

Back

Estuaries serve as nurseries for many marine species, filter pollutants, and provide habitat for wildlife.

Front

What is the significance of seagrass in estuaries?

Back

Seagrass provides habitat and food for marine life, stabilizes the seabed, and improves water quality by filtering pollutants.

Front

What are the main threats to estuaries?

Back

Main threats include pollution, habitat destruction, climate change, and overfishing.

Front

What is the difference between freshwater and saltwater?

Back

Freshwater has low concentrations of salt (less than 1%), while saltwater has higher concentrations of salt (about 3.5%).

Front

What is a watershed?

Back

A watershed is an area of land that drains rainwater and snowmelt into a common water body, such as a river, lake, or ocean.