Estuarine Acquatic habitat

Meaning of Estuarine Habitat

An estuarine habitat is an ecological zone where river and sea water meet, thus to establish brackish conditions. Brackish water has a salinity which fluctuates with the tides and the wet and dry seasons. It is neither salt water nor freshwater, but the intermediary between both. It occurs where freshwater interact with salt water.

Characteristics of Estuarine Habitat

Some characteristics of estuarine habitat include:

1. It has a fluctuating salinity
2. It has Poor aerated substratum or saturated soil that lack oxygen.
3. There is mild wave action.
4. There is high and low tidal influence.
5. Soil erosion is prominent.
6. It is exposed and prone to flood periodically.

EVALUATION (POST THE QUESTION TITLE AND YOUR ANSWER IN THE QUESTION BOX BELOW FOR EVALUATION AND DISCUSSION)

1. Define estuarine habitat.
2. Outline three characteristics of estuarine habitat.

Types of Estuary

1. Mashes
2. Deltas
3. Lagoons
4. Bay
5. Swamps
6. Marshes:Brackish water marsh is usually found in intertidal areas which are periodically flooded and drained by the tides. They are especially common along the coastal areas near estuaries.
7. Deltas:this is where a river divides into many channels before entering into oceans or sea. it is formed at the mouth of a river as it enters the sea.
8. Lagoon:a body of ocean water that enters into the land through a canal therefore has the opportunity of mixing with fresh water from rivers and streams.
9. Bay:it is a small body of sea water which enters into land and mixes up with fresh water from rivers and streams.
10. Swamps: a swamp is wetland with vegetation found in temperate and tropical regions. Brackish water marsh is usually found along coastal areas or intertidal areas which are periodically flooded and drained by the tides.

Types of Estuary based on Salt Mixing

The following are the types of estuary based on salt mixing:

1. Salt wedge estuary.
2. Vertically homogeneous estuary.
3. Partially mixed estuary.

EVALUATION (POST THE QUESTION TITLE AND YOUR ANSWER IN THE QUESTION BOX BELOW FOR EVALUATION AND DISCUSSION)

1. Mention three types of estuary.