As well as serving as an important habitat for wildlife, estuaries also have other valuable services. Water draining from the uplands carries sediments and nutrients. As the water flows through estuaries, many of the sediments and pollutants are filtered out. This filtration process creates cleaner, clearer water. This benefits both people and marine life. Estuary plants and soils act like a natural buffer between the land and water, absorbing flood waters and the run through from storms. This protects upland organisms as well as expensive real estate from storm and flood damage. Salt marsh grasses and other estuarine plants also help prevent erosion and stabilize the shoreline.
Estuaries also have important cultural benefits. This includes recreation, scientific knowledge, education and visual values. Boating, fishing, swimming, surfing and bird watching as just some of the recreational activities that people do in estuaries. Estuaries are quite often cultural centres of coastal communities. They serve as a focal point for local gatherings, recreation, celebrations, customs and traditions. As estuaries are the transition zone between land and water, they act as valuable laboratories for scientists and students. This provides lessons in biology, geology, chemistry, physics, history and social issues. Estuaries also act as beautiful scenery to the people who live, work and spend time in and around them.
The economic benefits of estuaries should never be overlooked. Tourism, fisheries and other commercial activities thrive on the wealth of natural resources that estuaries provide. The protected coastal waters of estuaries also support important public infrastructure. They serve as harbors and ports that are a significant part of the shipping, transportation and trade industry.
Estuaries also have important cultural benefits. This includes recreation, scientific knowledge, education and visual values. Boating, fishing, swimming, surfing and bird watching as just some of the recreational activities that people do in estuaries. Estuaries are quite often cultural centres of coastal communities. They serve as a focal point for local gatherings, recreation, celebrations, customs and traditions. As estuaries are the transition zone between land and water, they act as valuable laboratories for scientists and students. This provides lessons in biology, geology, chemistry, physics, history and social issues. Estuaries also act as beautiful scenery to the people who live, work and spend time in and around them.
The economic benefits of estuaries should never be overlooked. Tourism, fisheries and other commercial activities thrive on the wealth of natural resources that estuaries provide. The protected coastal waters of estuaries also support important public infrastructure. They serve as harbors and ports that are a significant part of the shipping, transportation and trade industry.