What types of animals live in an estuary?
A plethora of organisms can be found in estuaries, organisms specially adapted to the “brackish” estuarine waters. Estuaries are homes to all kind of terrestrial or land-based plants and animals, such as wood storks, pelicans, coniferous and deciduous trees and butterflies. Estuaries are also homes to unique aquatic plants and animals, such as sea grass, sea turtles and sea lions. Why are estuaries important? Estuaries are important for many reasons. Estuaries are among the most biologically productive ecosystems on the planet. More than two thirds of the fish and shellfish we eat spend some part of their lives in estuaries. These ecosystems also provide many other important ecological functions; they act as filters for terrestrial pollutants and provide protection from flooding. Estuaries also have economic importance. These dynamic bodies of water provide us with an important source of food, but are also a popular tourist destination. Millions of people visit the nation’s estuaries e
