Estuaries are often called the “nurseries of the sea”
Explanation:
Estuaries are often called the “nurseries of the sea” because so many marine animals reproduce and spend the early part of their lives there. As the tide rises and falls, water depth and chemistry change, creating a wide range of habitats. In some parts of estuaries, filtered by plants such as marsh and seagrasses, moving water becomes still, allowing mud and food particles to settle at the bottom. These variations create safe conditions, making estuaries ideal homes for plants and animals who feed, grow, or reproduce there. Estuaries are also a major stopover point for migratory animals such as waterfowl and salmon.
Our bays, harbors, sounds, and other coastal estuaries include brackish or freshwater marshes, mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marshes. You might also find oyster reefs, kelp forests, and rocky or soft shorelines—each populated with creatures that thrive in that setting. With so much variation, it’s no wonder that estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
Estuaries are often called the “nurseries of the sea”
Answer:
Estuaries are often called the “nurseries of the sea”
Explanation:
Estuaries are often called the “nurseries of the sea” because so many marine animals reproduce and spend the early part of their lives there. As the tide rises and falls, water depth and chemistry change, creating a wide range of habitats. In some parts of estuaries, filtered by plants such as marsh and seagrasses, moving water becomes still, allowing mud and food particles to settle at the bottom. These variations create safe conditions, making estuaries ideal homes for plants and animals who feed, grow, or reproduce there. Estuaries are also a major stopover point for migratory animals such as waterfowl and salmon.
Our bays, harbors, sounds, and other coastal estuaries include brackish or freshwater marshes, mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marshes. You might also find oyster reefs, kelp forests, and rocky or soft shorelines—each populated with creatures that thrive in that setting. With so much variation, it’s no wonder that estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth.