An ecological characterization of Coastal An ecological characterization of Coastal Maine (north and east of Cape Elizabeth) ecologicalcharac02usfi Year: 1980 Chapter 5 The Estuarine System Authors: Peter Larsen, Lee Doggett, Chris Garside, Jerry Topinka, Tim Mague, Toby Garfield, Ray Gerber, Stewart Fefer, Patricia Shettig, Lawrence Thornton Estuaries are the major link between the sea and fresh water and terrestrial environments. Cities and towns historically have been built on estuaries, consequently, estuaries have been used as major transportation corridors and waste disposal systems.
An ecological characterization of Coastal An ecological characterization of Coastal Maine (north and east of Cape Elizabeth) ecologicalcharac02usfi Year: 1980 Chapter 5 The Estuarine System Authors: Peter Larsen, Lee Doggett, Chris Garside, Jerry Topinka, Tim Mague, Toby Garfield, Ray Gerber, Stewart Fefer, Patricia Shettig, Lawrence Thornton Estuaries are the major link between the sea and fresh water and terrestrial environments. Cities and towns historically have been built on estuaries, consequently, estuaries have been used as major transportation corridors and waste disposal systems. Estuaries also receive the flow of rivers, which is comprised of runoff from the landmass and includes pollutants from upstream developments. They are used as finfish spawning and nursery grounds, shellfish habitats, migratory bird feeding and breeding areas, and recreational areas. This chapter examines the basic concepts and information on the functions of the complex estuarine system of coastal Maine. The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS; Cowardin et al. 1979) defines the estuarine system as 'deepwater tidal habitats and adjacent wetlands which are usually semi-enclosed by land but have open, partially obstructed, or sporadic access to the open ocean and in which ocean water is at least occasionally diluted by freshwater runoff from the land.' Furthermore, 'estuaries extend upstream and landward to the place where ocean-derived salts measure < ppt during the period of annual low flow. The seaward limit of the estuarine system is: 1) a line closing the mouth of a river, bay or sound; 2) a line enclosing an offshore area of diluted sea water with typical estuarine flora and fauna; or 3) the seaward limit of wetland emergents, shrubs or trees where these plants grow seaward of the line closing the mouth of a river, bay or sound.' Since estuaries most often are semienclosed by land they are somewhat protected from marine influence and are a low-energy environment compar
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