Why are estuaries important?
Estuaries provide us with a range of resources and services. Some can be measured in dollars and others cannot. Estuaries provide places for recreational activities and scientific studies. Estuaries are an irreplaceable natural resource that needs to be carefully monitored so that the animals and plants that depend on them are thriving.
Thousands of species of birds, mammals, fish and other wildlife live in and around estuaries. They depend on them to live, feed and reproduce. Many marine organisms, especially fish used in commercial fishing, depend on estuaries at some time in their life. Due to estuaries being biologically productive, migratory birds use them as places to rest and re-fuel. Many species of fish and wildlife depend on the sheltered waters and land areas of estuaries as spawning places.
Estuaries have an important commercial value. Their resources provide tourism, fisheries and recreational activities to have a greater economic benefit. The protected coastal waters of estuaries also support public infrastructure such as harbors and ports which are a vital part of shipping and transportation.
Estuaries also have other important values. Water draining from upstream areas bring down sediments, nutrients and other pollutants to estuaries. As the water flows through the wetlands and marshes, all the pollutants are filtered out. The filtration process that occurs in estuaries creates cleaner, clearer water; which benefits both people and the estuary marine life. Wetland plants and soils act as natural barriers between the land and ocean, absorbing flood waters and the run through from storms. This protects the upland habitat as well as valuable real estate. Salt marsh grasses and other estuarine plants help prevent erosion and they stabilize shorelines.
Estuaries provide us with a range of resources and services. Some can be measured in dollars and others cannot. Estuaries provide places for recreational activities and scientific studies. Estuaries are an irreplaceable natural resource that needs to be carefully monitored so that the animals and plants that depend on them are thriving.
Thousands of species of birds, mammals, fish and other wildlife live in and around estuaries. They depend on them to live, feed and reproduce. Many marine organisms, especially fish used in commercial fishing, depend on estuaries at some time in their life. Due to estuaries being biologically productive, migratory birds use them as places to rest and re-fuel. Many species of fish and wildlife depend on the sheltered waters and land areas of estuaries as spawning places.
Estuaries have an important commercial value. Their resources provide tourism, fisheries and recreational activities to have a greater economic benefit. The protected coastal waters of estuaries also support public infrastructure such as harbors and ports which are a vital part of shipping and transportation.
Estuaries also have other important values. Water draining from upstream areas bring down sediments, nutrients and other pollutants to estuaries. As the water flows through the wetlands and marshes, all the pollutants are filtered out. The filtration process that occurs in estuaries creates cleaner, clearer water; which benefits both people and the estuary marine life. Wetland plants and soils act as natural barriers between the land and ocean, absorbing flood waters and the run through from storms. This protects the upland habitat as well as valuable real estate. Salt marsh grasses and other estuarine plants help prevent erosion and they stabilize shorelines.