REASONS WHY WE NEED TO

PROTECT AND CONSERVE

ESTUARIES AND INTERTIDAL
ZONES

JENEFER AGUSTINA P. MAGORA

MASI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
What are the reasons why we need to protect and conserve
estuaries and intertidal zones?
Estuaries serve as natural filtering systems. Rivers and streams can convey
sediments, nutrients, and contaminants into estuaries due to runoff from the
motherland, some of which can be kept in estuaries through a natural
filtration process. Sediment, nutrients, and pollutants in runoff from the land
endanger estuaries and their biodiversity.
This natural filtration occurs in riparian regions – the vegetated area
adjacent to a waterway – where vegetation and soils act to collect silt and
nutrients carried by runoff from the land.
Contributing to the protection of estuaries are
the following:
 Ship biosecurity inspections: Ships arriving from other countries are
inspected to avoid the introduction of exotic species.

 Put an end to land reclamation: Put an end to land reclamation in

estuaries.

 Reduce pollution: Contribute to the estuary's health by avoiding the

addition of solid trash or liquid pollution.
Contributing to the protection of estuaries are
the following:
 Notify your local council if you notice anything that may pose harm to
an estuary, such as illegal waste disposal, pollution spills, strange new
marine species, or persons cutting down or destroying estuarine flora,
such as mangroves without permission.

 Reduce pollution: Contribute to the estuary's health by avoiding the

addition of solid trash or liquid pollution.