Estuaries and salt marshes are homes for many plants, mammals, reptiles, and birds. Estuaries are also important homes for fishes, snails, crabs, clams, and baby animals called larvae. We call these habitats “wetlands,” because the soil of the marsh and the bordering edges of the estuary are frequently influenced by tides from the ocean and water flowing from the land. Sometimes there is a lot of water and the estuary rises; marshes become flooded with water. There are times when there is less water and the estuary level drops; the marsh is drier. Rises in water levels make the land “wet.” But, as levels change, constantly rising and falling, the amount of wetness changes.

Wetlands located along the coasts are called “coastal wetlands.” If you live in Texas, the coast is along the Gulf of Mexico. The Pacific Ocean is off the coast of California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. The Atlantic Ocean is off the coast of states such as New York, Delaware, and Florida.

The amount of salt varies in salt marshes and estuaries, because of the amount of rain, and therefore freshwater runoff, entering the area. In South Texas, there is very little rain. High temperatures cause much evaporation, so estuaries can be very salty (hypersaline). The marsh plants and animals are adapted to survive in very harsh conditions. Along the East Coast of the United States, there is more rain and cooler temperatures; therefore, the estuaries are typically less salty than those in Texas.

Photos courtesy of Brien A. Nicolau, Greg Dimijian and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
Artwork courtesy of Chilcoat Studios.