RESOURCES

The NOAA website gives the definition of an estuary and explains why they are important. It also discusses that Congress created the National Estuarine Reserve System to protect estuarine land and water.

This EPA video defines estuary. It explains why estuaries are so important and irreplaceable. The video explains how estuaries help the economy as well.

This website defines brackish water and salinity levels. It discusses industrial use and the danger of saltwater intrusion.

This EstuaryLiveTV video talks about estuary salinity readings and how they are measured. It also shows the kinds of organisms that are found in brackish water in a Louisiana estuary. The video compares the salinity of the estuary to the salinity of the ocean.

The Bates Coastal Geology Research and Environmental Archive defines what a barrier beach is and includes a picture which clearly shows where the barrier beach is found.

This video explains what a barrier island is and how they are formed. It also discusses the features of the barrier island including the beach and how the beach moves.

The NOAA website defines a salt marsh/coastal wetlands and advises where they can be found. It also explains why the salt marsh/coastal wetlands are important.

This U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service video defines what a salt marsh is and explains what happens in the marsh. It also shows the different vegetation that grows in the salt marsh. The video also shows many of the different types of wildlife that live in the salt marsh, and explains why salt marshes are important.

This Marine Science website explains what a mud flat is and where it is usually found. It has several pages for the user to scroll through and many pictures of the wildlife—both plants and animals—that live in the mudflat community.

The DunedinAquarium video looks at the different organisms that live in mudflats.