bio physical interactionions coastal and estuarine environments Flashcards
what are estuaries
semi enclosed areas where fresh water and seawater meet and mix
are estuaries heavily impacted by humans
yes
what is a coastal plain estuary
forms as sea level rises and floods existing river valleys
what is a fiord
forms as sea level rises and floods existing glaciated valleys - coast of Alaska canada
what is the coastal zone
coasts are dynamic interfaces involving the meeting of atmosphere at land and sea
impacts on coasts and estuarine pressures
climate change, sea level rise
human pressures
development
pollution
recreation
physical factors affecting coasts and estuaries
temperature
nutrient levels
physical stress waves current tides
what impacts do waves
strong impact on coastal landforms and key bio physical interactions
type of estuarine communities in open water
enter and leave with the tide
vary with current, salinity and temapture
young fish and shrimp live here
type of estuarine community live in the mudflats
found in lower intertidal zone
bottoms of estuaries exposed at low tide
primary producers are bacteria
estuarine communities are also found in the biogemorphic land forms
such as salt marshes and mangrove swamps
are the majority of the largest cities situated adjacent to estuaries
yes
name some human affects on estuaries
input of materials in the wetlands and water column
removal of some part of the available resources
physical modification of habitats
when does eutrophication occur
when nutrients n and p are present in the aquatic system
consequences of eutrophication
decreased water transparency
oxygen depletion
