1.2.3 Ecosystems, Estuarine

Definition: Those ecosystems consisting of tidal catchments and adjacent tidal wetlands that are usually semi-enclosed by land but have open, partly obstructed, or sporadic access to the open ocean, and in which ocean water is at least occasionally diluted by freshwater runoff from the land. This ecosystem extends to the high-tide mark. The Estuarine System also includes offshore areas of continuously diluted sea water.

Definition Source: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States

Ecosystems, Estuarine Categories:

1.2.3.1 Benthic Estuarine: Those estuarine ecosystems consisting of organisms living on, attached to, or burrowing in the sediment of the estuary floor.

------1.2.3.1.1 Intertidal Estuarine

------1.2.3.1.2 Subtidal Estuarine

------1.2.3.1.3 Mesohaline

------1.2.3.1.4 Oligohaline

------1.2.3.1.5 Polyhaline

------1.2.3.1.6 Pelagic Estuarine