Warm Up

What is an ESTUARY?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLumSN4G5P4

Estuary Defined

partially enclosed body of water formed where fresh water from rivers and streams flows into a bay or ocean, mixing with the salt water.

Estuaries come in all shapes and sizes and go by different names.

Bays, lagoons, harbors, inlets, or sounds

*some familiar:

San Francisco Bay, Puget Sound,Boston Harbor, Tampa Bay, and

ofcourse, the Chesapeake Bay!

Chesapeake Bay Estuary

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest of about 130 estuaries in the United States.

Chesapeake Bay Characteristics

~ about 200 miles long (just the bay!)

~ average depth only 21 feet

Biotic and Abiotic have special adaptations for estuary living!

*The salinity level is constantly changing!

What is the tidal area?

where the salinity is constantly

changing with the tides.

Blue Heron

Common Animals:

• shore birds• fish, crabs and

lobsters, • marine mammals• sea birds• Lizards, snakes,

turtles• Seals and otters

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/videos/clip/restoration_spotlight_urban_wetland_provides_refuge_for_baltimore_wildlife

Animals in an Estuary

Copperhead

Quick Fact:

*Tidewater is water that is

affected by the ebb and flow of

tides.

Estuaries are Important for living things (biotic):

• Variety of food for animals

• Nursery for eggs and babies

• Protection from waves and severe weather

• Close to fresh water

• Natural filter (grasses, sand, soil mix)

• Recreation and commerce

Estuaries Provide a Variety of Habitats

• shallow waters

• fresh and salt water marshes

• sandy beaches

• mud and sand flats

• rocky shores

• river deltas

• tidal pools

• sea grass and kelp beds

• wooded swamps

• oyster reefs

Economic benefits:tourism/visitors, commercial fishing, transportation, shipping, and community living

Estuaries are important for humans

Did you know?

1. Estuaries provide habitat for 75% of America’s commercial fish catch.

2. Estuaries provide more than 28 million jobs.

3. The average American Spends 10 recreational days on the coast of an estuary each year.

Health of Estuaries

Unfortunately, an increase in concentration of people near estuaries is upsetting the natural balance of estuarine ecosystems.

People can Harm Estuaries

Channels are dredged, which causes sediment to get in the estuary and

cause higher turbidity.

People Harm Estuaries…continued

Shorelines are reconstructed to make room for housing and agricultural needs by filling marshes and wetlands.

Urban

runoff!

Water is polluted and recreation creates excess sediments.

“Over fishing”- fewer crab and fish stop the food chain for birds and mammals. The larger animals will starve.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIxEOW1yn8U

Unhealthy Estuary: http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=4168

• Loss habitat for animals and plants• Loss of food for animals and humans• Endanger or causing extinction of

animals and plants• Water to dirty to drink or swim in• No protection from severe weather• Easier to flood• Loss of money

Let’s have some fun…

• VERY DIFFICULT TO WATCH!

• VIEWER DISCRESSION IS ADVISED!

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=4343