Exploring Estuaries

The video explores the Long Island Sound, focusing on estuaries where freshwater meets saltwater. It highlights the biodiversity within these habitats, explaining how organisms adapt to brackish water. The video discusses the importance of water movement for nutrient distribution and the role of estuaries as nurseries for many species. It emphasizes the benefits estuaries provide to humans, such as fishing and tourism, and the need for conservation efforts to maintain these ecosystems. The video concludes with a call to action to visit and protect local estuaries.

What is an estuary?

• A mountain range

• A deep ocean trench

• A place where a river meets the ocean

• A type of freshwater lake

What is brackish water?

• Water that is completely salty

• Water that is saltier than seawater

• Water that is a mix of freshwater and saltwater

• Water that is completely fresh

What is a key feature of a healthy estuary ecosystem?

• High biodiversity

• Lack of biodiversity

• Stagnant water

• No plant life

Why are estuaries important for marine life?

• They have no food sources

• They provide a safe place for reproduction

• They are too cold for marine life

• They are too salty for most marine life

Which of the following animals is known to inhabit estuaries?

• Desert fox

• Estuarine crocodile

• Mountain lion

• Polar bear

How do estuaries benefit humans economically?

• They are used for mining

• They are sites for oil drilling

• They provide opportunities for commercial fishing and tourism

• They are used for desert farming

What is one way humans can help maintain the health of estuaries?

• By introducing non-native species

• By building more factories near them

• By ensuring waste is disposed of properly

• By increasing salt levels