What are estuaries?

Estuaries are characterized as wetlands formed where rivers meet the sea, making them unique and vital ecosystems. They are areas where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the ocean, creating brackish water that supports a diverse range of plants and animals. This mixing of waters contributes to high nutrient levels, making estuaries some of the most productive ecosystems on the planet. The diversity of habitats within estuaries, such as marshes, mudflats, and mangroves, provides crucial breeding and feeding grounds for many aquatic species, including fish, birds, and invertebrates.

The productivity and biological richness of estuaries are essential for many commercial fisheries and play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity. The transition zones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems found in estuaries also help protect inland areas from storm surges and erosion, highlighting their ecological importance.