I. What is an Estuary?

An Estuary is a geographical term that refers to places along the coastline where freshwater from rivers and streams meet and mix with the salt water from the ocean. Although influenced by the tides they are protected from the full force of ocean waves, winds, and storms by landforms such as barrier reefs or islands and peninsulas.

Estuarine environments are some of the most fertile places in the world. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), they create more organic matter each year than comparably sized areas of forest, grassland, or agricultural land. The sheltered waters support unique communities of plants and animals especially adapted for life at the margin of the sea.

Vibrant and unique habitat types are formed in and around estuaries primarily due to the mixing of fresh and salt water. The confluence of river and sea results in a unique and…