Question
Why should we work to protect estuaries? (Select all that apply.)
They collect nutrients that would otherwise be washed out to sea.
They serve as homes for sharks and jellyfish.
They serve as homes for shellfish and other wildlife.
They provide a buffer against storms between the mainland and the sea
They collect nutrients that would otherwise be washed out to sea.
They serve as homes for sharks and jellyfish.
They serve as homes for shellfish and other wildlife.
They provide a buffer against storms between the mainland and the sea
Answers
GPT-4o mini
We should work to protect estuaries for the following reasons:
1. **They collect nutrients that would otherwise be washed out to sea.** - Estuaries act as natural filtration systems, trapping nutrients and pollutants from rivers before they reach the ocean.
2. **They serve as homes for shellfish and other wildlife.** - Estuaries provide crucial habitats for a diverse range of species, including fish, birds, and invertebrates, supporting biodiversity.
3. **They provide a buffer against storms between the mainland and the sea.** - Estuaries can absorb wave energy and reduce the impact of storm surges, protecting coastal communities from flooding and erosion.
The statement about sharks and jellyfish is less relevant to the primary ecological functions of estuaries, which primarily serve as nurseries and habitats for numerous other species. So, it would not be included in the reasons to protect estuaries.
1. **They collect nutrients that would otherwise be washed out to sea.** - Estuaries act as natural filtration systems, trapping nutrients and pollutants from rivers before they reach the ocean.
2. **They serve as homes for shellfish and other wildlife.** - Estuaries provide crucial habitats for a diverse range of species, including fish, birds, and invertebrates, supporting biodiversity.
3. **They provide a buffer against storms between the mainland and the sea.** - Estuaries can absorb wave energy and reduce the impact of storm surges, protecting coastal communities from flooding and erosion.
The statement about sharks and jellyfish is less relevant to the primary ecological functions of estuaries, which primarily serve as nurseries and habitats for numerous other species. So, it would not be included in the reasons to protect estuaries.