Global map of estuary biomes (in red)
Abiotic factors and distinctive features
Salinity: An estuary is a body of freshwater meets a body of saltwater, mixing into a brackish solution (.5 ppt to 36 ppt)
Movement:
-Currents in the estuaries come from tides, river runoff, transport by wind generated surface waves, direct stress by wind on water surface, variations in density distributions, and internal waves
Depth: Average of 30 feet
Movement:
-Currents in the estuaries come from tides, river runoff, transport by wind generated surface waves, direct stress by wind on water surface, variations in density distributions, and internal waves
Depth: Average of 30 feet
Specific location: Chesapeake bay, MD
Autotroph: saltwater eelgrass
Scientific Name: Zostera
Mode of Nutrition: Autotroph
Mode of Nutrition: Autotroph
autotroph: widgeon grass
Scientific Name: Ruppia maritima
Mode of Nutrition: Autotroph
Mode of Nutrition: Autotroph
heterotroph: Pumpkinseed fish
Scientific Name: Lepomis gibbosus
Mode of Nutrition: Heterotroph
Mode of Nutrition: Heterotroph
heterotroph: ruby throated hummingbird
Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris
Mode of Nutrition: Heterotroph
Mode of Nutrition: Heterotroph
heterotroph: maryland blue crab
Scientific Name: Callinectes sapidus
Mode of Nutrition: Heterotroph
Mode of Nutrition: Heterotroph