Estuary Biomes
By: Sarah Stark and Emily McMaster
Estuary Biomes
• Estuary: the part of the wide lower course of a
river where its current is met by the tides.
Geography and Climate
• Location: Where sea water and fresh water
meet.
• Examples: Bays and lagoons
• Mixed Water: Brackish (fresh water and salt
water)
Geography and Climate
• Description: A partially enclosed body of water
where sea water mixes with fresh water
• Soil Type: sediments, sand, mud, very rich, has
bacteria.
• Precipitation: has a dry season and an average
precipitation. It also depends on the location.
• Temperature Range: almost always warm. It also
depends on the location.
• Climate: always wet and almost always warm. It
also depends on the location.
Biodiversity
• Plant Species: corgrass, spike grass, purple
loostrife, and sea lavender are the most common
plants in an Estuary Biome.
• Animal Species: mud shrimp, ghost shrimp, blue
crabs, starry flounder, tarpon, barracuda, tiger
sharks, bull sharks, sand pipers, yellow legs, bald
eagles, fish eagles, sea eagles, crocodiles, beluga
whales, dolphins, musk rats, beavers, and otters
are some of the many animals in an Estuary
Biome.
Adaptations
• Plants: deep roots, some have filters on roots,
live in salt water and in fresh water, respond
quickly to changes, and some have matted
roots.
• Animals: respond quickly to changes, and live
in salt water and fresh water.
Interactions
• Biotic (living): larger animals feed on smaller
animals and some plants.
• Abiotic (nonliving): drinking water for animals,
sand and mud help plants filter out salt water
and is a habitat for shell fish. The sand and
mud also is playground, mating ground, and a
nursering ground.
Video
• Estuaries Biome - Ecogeeks : Untamed Science
Video Podcast - CastRoller
Resources
• http://castroller.com/Podcasts/EcogeeksUnta
med/1903621
• http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/estua
ry?s=t
• http://www.mbgnet.net/salt/sandy/indexfr.ht
m