Marine estuaries are regions where salt and fresh water combine. These conditions create a range of conditions for organisms to adapt to such as variations in salinity, temperature, and turbidity. These waters are often nutrient rich, as runoff from a river system joins the ocean. Estuaries are one of the unique locations where true plants (angiosperms) can survive marine conditions as well. In the Pacific Northwest, estuaries provide critical habitat for salmon, shellfish such as oysters, and birds.
|
