Ecology of Coastal Wetlands

Ssds

Lagoon

A shallow pool that is intermittently connected

with a river, a deeper lake, or the sea. These
pools are often fresh water and may contain a
variety of different species of species not
common to coastal areas such as migratory birds.

This zone is located below the low tide water

line. This area is always covered by water. This
area can include many different types of
habitats such as sea grass beds and coral reefs.
The organisms here cannot tolerate very long
exposure to the air or sun.
These environments are un-vegetated, generally
The trees in this zone are able to withstand
low gradient and consist of sandy mud and muddy being submerged twice a day by tidal saltwater.
sand. These environments are home to
Sediments here are rich in organic material such
crustaceans, molluscs, fish and birds.
as leaves. The roots of the trees in this
environment provide homes for many crustaceans,
molluscs and fish.
These environments occur on lower gradients than
Mostly occur in dry evaporative environments
salt flats and undergo frequent tidal inundation.
that undergo infrequent tidal inundation.
These zones also contain small brackish (a
Sediments contain sandy silts and clays as well as
mixture of both fresh and salty water) pools.
very low concentrations of organic matter. The
These environments contain salt-tolerant grasses,
vegetation in this area is mostly grass, as the
reeds and small shrubs that help to stabilise sand high salinity in the soil does not allow for taller
that has been transported by water.
vegetation.

Food Web

Activities

1) Label each organism on the diagram

below diagram with producers,
consumers or decomposers
2) White face herons have narrow beaks,
which allow them to collect crustaceans
from deep within the mud, while Pelicans
are unable to and must depend on other
sources of food. Complete the missing
links on the food web.
3) Draw in where you think humans would
fit in on the food web.
4) What do you think would happen if
humans over-fished the Bullseye fish?
What would happen to other consumers
on the food web?