Soil Conditions:
The soil conditions in the estuary biome are not very suitable for plants to live in. Since an estuary is located where a body of freshwater and a body of saltwater meet (typically the ocean and the river), the water is very salty and hard to use for survival. The salty water then seeps into the soil, therefore making the soil salty. Also, the location of the estuary matters in the quality of the soil. For example, if the estuary is located near a mountain, then the soil will most likely be more live able, compared to an estuary that is not located near a mountain or source of shelter or freshwater runoff.
The soil conditions in the estuary biome are not very suitable for plants to live in. Since an estuary is located where a body of freshwater and a body of saltwater meet (typically the ocean and the river), the water is very salty and hard to use for survival. The salty water then seeps into the soil, therefore making the soil salty. Also, the location of the estuary matters in the quality of the soil. For example, if the estuary is located near a mountain, then the soil will most likely be more live able, compared to an estuary that is not located near a mountain or source of shelter or freshwater runoff.
Dominant Plants & Animals:
The plants and animals in an estuary must adapt to the rough conditions that exist here. One important thing they must adapt to is the types of water they can use, for example going from saltwater to freshwater. The shelled creatures such as mussels, clams, and snails in an estuary are a large part the the abundance of food for other animals. These shelled creatures feed on disintegrated matter from dead plant material from the marsh grass. Another type of animal in the estuary biome is a bird. These birds find food by sifting through the mud near the edge of the water, feeding on shelled invertebrates. One of the main parts to the estuary biome wildlife is the marine life. Some areas of the estuary are submerged and have submerged plant life. Some of these plants include bottom dwelling algae and eel-grass. These grasses are appealing to blue crabs, sea horses, turtles, and fish. Finally, part of the estuary plant and animal life is the mammals. Some of mammals find the estuary an important source of food, for example the black bear. Some other examples of mammals that live in the estuary are opossums, raccoon's and otters. Since the estuary is such a harsh climate, any animal that is able to survive is a dominant species.
The plants and animals in an estuary must adapt to the rough conditions that exist here. One important thing they must adapt to is the types of water they can use, for example going from saltwater to freshwater. The shelled creatures such as mussels, clams, and snails in an estuary are a large part the the abundance of food for other animals. These shelled creatures feed on disintegrated matter from dead plant material from the marsh grass. Another type of animal in the estuary biome is a bird. These birds find food by sifting through the mud near the edge of the water, feeding on shelled invertebrates. One of the main parts to the estuary biome wildlife is the marine life. Some areas of the estuary are submerged and have submerged plant life. Some of these plants include bottom dwelling algae and eel-grass. These grasses are appealing to blue crabs, sea horses, turtles, and fish. Finally, part of the estuary plant and animal life is the mammals. Some of mammals find the estuary an important source of food, for example the black bear. Some other examples of mammals that live in the estuary are opossums, raccoon's and otters. Since the estuary is such a harsh climate, any animal that is able to survive is a dominant species.