5. Estuaries
An area in which fresh water from a river mixes
with salt water from the ocean; a transition area
from the land to the ocean. Other names: bay,
sound, lagoon, harbor, or bayou.
The Ocean
Area where
fresh and salt
water mix
River bringing
freshwater to
the sea
6. Characteristics of
Estuaries
Very nutrient rich ecosystems leads to
high productivity and high biodiversity.
Fast-moving rivers and waves carry
nutrient-rich particles.
Sediment settles out in the estuary when
the water slows down.
Nutrients accumulates on the bottom
(benthic zone).
Great place for plants to grow!
8. Estuary animals
Huge variety including…
Blue crab, Stone crab, Fiddler crab,
Horseshoe crab, Mosquito, Lobster,
Flounder, Stripped bass, Crane,
Flamingo, Sea gull, Ibis, Manatee,
otters, and many more.
9. Salt Marshes
A low area that is subject to regular, but gentle,
tides, dominated by grasses.
Salt marshes do not have trees or shrubs
Texas salt marsh
11. Rocky shores
Also called rocky intertidal zone – many places to
live in this habitat, means high biodiversity
Organisms must be adapted to wave action,
changing tide levels
12. Rocky Shores
At low tides, there are often tide pools left
behind where you can see starfish,
anemones, crabs, octopus
13. Sandy Shores
Sandy shores or beaches are loose deposits of
sand, gravel or shells that cover the shoreline
in many places. They make up two-thirds of the
world’s ice-free coastlines.
14. Barrier Islands
A long, narrow, offshore
island, usually having
beaches and dunes on
the seaward side,often
with lagoons on the
landward side
15. Coral Reefs
Structures in the shallow oceans that are built
by animals called corals; serve as a habitat for
many diverse organisms
Require two things: warm temperatures and
sunlight
Found between 30°N and 30°S of the equator