Admin Why is an estuary an important part of a watershed?
The wetlands that fringe estuaries perform extremely valuable functions that protect our waterways and communities. Wetlands act as natural buffers between the land and the water, guarding against erosion, flood waters and storm surges.
What is an estuary watershed?
An estuary is a coastal wetland where freshwater that flows from rivers and streams mixes with the saltwater from the ocean. Or more simply put, an estuary is where the river meets the sea. Estuaries are also the endpoints of watersheds. Read more about the Tijuana River Watershed.
What service do estuaries provide?
Estuaries provide a range of valuable ‘ecosystem services’ for humans such as food provision, water filtration, nutrient regulation and storm protection (see Figure 1).
What functions do estuaries provide for humans ecosystem and earth?
Ecosystem Services Estuaries can filter out sediments and pollutants from rivers and streams before they flow into the ocean, providing cleaner water for humans and marine life. Healthy estuaries can absorb surges of water from storms, floods, and tides, protecting our homes and communities.
How do fish depend on estuaries?
And many marine organisms, including most commercially-important species of fish, depend on estuaries at some point during their development. Because they are biologically productive, estuaries provide ideal areas for migratory birds to rest and refuel during their long journeys.
What are three benefits of ecosystem services that estuaries provide?
Importance of Estuaries
- They act like buffers, protecting lands from crashing waves and storms.
- They help prevent soil erosion.
- They soak up excess flood water and tidal surges.
- They are important feeding and/or nursery habitat for commercially and ecologically important fish and invertebrates, and migrating birds.
How do estuary consumers get energy?
The only producer is the phytoplankton. A producer creates food using energy from the sun. The other organisms are all consumers; they get their energy by consuming either a producer or other consumers.