In
the
Neponset Estuary, fresh water from the Neponset River mixes with salt
water from the Atlantic Ocean.
The
Estuary has "tides," like the ocean.
Tides are the rise and fall of water. Each day, we have two high
tides and two low tides. During high tides, the small creeks and
channels of the river are full of water, and some of the plants along
their edges are submerged in water. During low tides, the creeks have little or no
water in them, and the plants are exposed to the air.
The animals and plants
that live in the Estuary have adapted to these hourly environmental changes. Many of the animals bury
themselves in the mud, at low tide. You can often see shorebirds feeding on
these creatures, at low tide.
The
Estuary is a great place for tiny plants and animals to grow because
it has many nutrients. Many fish come to the Estuary to "spawn" (lay
their eggs). The baby fish will then have plenty to eat. The small
pools and creeks on the edges of the Estuary also provide the baby fish
with places to hide from predators. When the fish are big enough, they
swim to Dorchester Bay and the open ocean to grow up.
What
does "nutrient" mean?
A
nutrient can be thought of as food for plants and animals. Plankton
(very small plants and animals that live in the water), for example,
feed fish . The tides of the Estuary bring in many nutrients for fish and plants.
What
does "predator" mean?
A
predator is an animal that preys on another animal. For instance, a
Flycatcher is a predator of flies; this bird "preys"
(feeds) on these insects, in mid-air.
