No other ecosystem on the earth is as productive as estuarine ecosystem. Brackish, sediments and nutrients rich shallow favourable adjoining regions have the most productive potential compare to others. In this article, I’m going to present the most notably examples and detailed explanation of functioning of estuarine ecosystem.
Understanding functioning of estuaries ecosystem
It is an adjoining as well as rythmic fluctuating submerged zone between draining river bed and coastal areas.
Fresh water river inflow and rythmic tidal fluctuation in sea water naturally cultivate the brackish sediment rich fertile ground for acquitic life.
Such rythmic ebb and outflow of sea salty water in the partially submerged zone of river bed and coastal area is ecologically known as “Estuarine ecosystem”.
As per the scientific study, it has been proved that there is no region as much as ecologically productive as the estuarine ecosystem. This is reason why these ecosystems have attracted the attention of most of the ecologists.
Major characteristic features of estuarine ecosystem
Intermixing of fresh river water and salty sea tidal influx, constant renovation of fine sediments, abundant nutrients, and shallow depth are well known characteristic features of estuaries worldwide.
1.Intermixing of fresh and sea water
Whenever the tidal influence raises sea water, the river water gets pushed back paving the way for intermixing zone of brackish water. This is a continuous process occurs during a day. So, it looks hypothetical to separate both water masses apart.
2.Renovation of sediments
In the last stage of erosion of river, it carries a lot of sediment load so that it’s flowing speed declines considerably. But, such nutrient rich sediments gets deposited at the draining mouth paving way for many oxbow lakes and distributries.
However, when there is a estuary, sediments gets recycled constantly in the process of intermixing.
3.Shallow river bed or water depth
Photic zone is the most favorable oceanic water where most of the biological activities are concentrated. In estuary, due to shallow river bed, the depth of water aren’t beyond 200 m anyway. Further, constant fluctuation make it even more attractive.
These are the most necessary conditions to produce a fertile ground for acquitic life. Hence, estuarine ecosystem is the best.
Description of functioning of estuarine ecosystem
On the basis of formation, estuaries are categorised as coastal plain estuaries, bar-built estuaries, fjord estuaries, and tectonic estuaries. So let’s see the detailed explanation of types of estuarine ecosystem..
1.Coastal plain estuaries
Coastal plain estuaries are a type of estuaries formed by the rise of sea water level. Geologically, due to emergence of coastal plain or regions, water enters into the river bed to form such estuary.
Examples of coastal plain estuaries — Thames river in England, Hudson river in New York, Murray river in Australia, etc.
2.Tectonic estuaries
No continent is ever stable. It is scientifically proven by plate tectonics theory. When the coastal land rifts apart adjoining river bed, both waters intermix at the right zone. Such estuaries are categorised as tectonic estuaries.
San Francisco bay is the best epitome of tectonic estuaries.
3.Bar-built estuaries
When a lagoon or bay of oceanic enclosed water bodies separated by piles of sands or sand bars, the separated water bodies form estuary landform along draining mouth of river.
Matagorda bay in Texas, Pamlico-sound in North Carolina, Nauset barrier beach system on Cape-cod in Massachusetts are examples of bar-built estuaries.
4.Fjord estuaries
Fjord estuaries are formed due to glacial erosion. Glacier bay in Alaska, Georgia basin region of Washington, are examples of Fjord estuaries.
These are some important examples and types of estuaries ecosystem.
Acquatic life in estuarine ecosystem
Estuarine ecosystem are well known for breeding, growth and development for the diverse brackish water species. It is called brackish due to less salinity. It is neither fresh nor salty. Hence, most of the either fresh or marine species use this region to lay eggs.
Shore and seabirds, fishes, crabs, shellfish, marine worms, clams, are the most notable species found in the various estuarine ecosystem.
Eecological productivity and efficiency of estuaries ecosystem
Compare to other ecosystems, estuaries ecosystems have highest ecological primary and secondary productivity due to above mentioned reasons. But, nowadays, due to industrial influx, urban waste, drilling, and tourism industry, the precious estuarine ecosystem are facing multiple challengs.
American crocodile, green sea turtle, Atlantic Ridley turtle, are some estuaries wildlife species classified as marine estuaries endangered species by IUCN
This is all about the functioning of estuarine ecosystem. Hope, our users would be benefited of this content.
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