Abstract
An estuary is a semienclosed coastal body of water, which has a free connection with the open sea and within which, sea water is measurably diluted with fresh water from land drainage (Pritchard 1967). Most estuaries have a series of landscape subcomponents: a river (or fresh water) source, a tidal-estuarine segment, marshes (or mangroves depending on latitude), bays, and a pass (or inlet) to the sea. However, all estuaries are quite different; the landscape of each subcomponent can vary, combinations and connections of these subcomponents can vary, and some subcomponents can be missing. The interaction of three primary natural forces causes estuaries to be unique and different.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Montagna, P.A., Palmer, T.A., Beseres Pollack, J. (2013). Conceptual Model of Estuary Ecosystems. In: Hydrological Changes and Estuarine Dynamics. SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science, vol 8. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5833-3_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5833-3_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-5832-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-5833-3
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)