These animals are linked to one another and to an assortment of specialized plants and microscopic organisms through complex food webs and other interactions. Estuaries are places where rivers meet the sea. They are fascinating and beautiful ecosystems distinct from all other places on earth. Estuaries are critical for the survival of many species. Tens of thousands of birds, mammals, fish, and other wildlife depend on estuarine habitats as places to live, feed, and reproduce.
Estuaries provide ideal spots for migratory birds to rest and refuel during their journeys.
Besides serving as important habitat for wildlife, the wetlands that fringe many estuaries also perform other valuable services. Water draining from the uplands carries sediments, nutrients, and other pollutants. As the water flows through fresh and salt marshes, much of the sediments and pollutants are filtered out. Wetland plants and soils also act as a natural buffer between the land and ocean, absorbing flood waters and dissipating storm surges. Salt marsh grasses and other estuarine plants also help prevent erosion and stabilize the shoreline.