Question

Why are estuaries, salt marshes, mangrove forests, and freshwater wetlands considered to be “transitional communities?” Which of these communities are
tropical and which are temperate zone? Briefly describe each of these community types. Are they biodiverse? Productive or not? What are some of the human
impacts to these communities? What have been the adverse consequences of destroying mangrove forest and coastal vegetation in general?

• Describe the following structure of rivers and streams: length, width, and vertical. Explain the stream order system, leading to rivers. What is the river continuum
concept? What are the major human impacts to streams and rivers?

• Where are the littoral and limnetic zones of lakes? Describe the vertical structure of lakes. Define oligotrophic, eutrophic, and eutrophication. What are the major
human impacts on lakes?

• Understand the mechanisms that cause fall and spring mixing of lake water (overturns) in the temperate zone.

Answer 1

In ecology, an ecotone is a transitional area between two communities/biomes.
In ecotone area, the two communities integrate and overlap with each other.
It is like a mixed community. This type of mixed community can be called as transitional community
/ecotonal community. The species present in this region are profoundly different.
Estuaries are the regions formed between an ocean and river.
Salt marches are formed between dry and wet lands.
Mangrove forests are regions between sea and lands.
Freshwater lands are regions between rivers and lands
Hence all the above are the transitional areas.