The Coastal Zone

           A coastline is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A coastal zone is where sea and land interacts. It is often used to describe a geographic location or region. The coast and its areas are mixtures of fresh water and salt water in estuaries that provide nutrients. There are different types of coastlines. An emergent coastline experiences a fall in sea level. They are identyifiable by the coastal landforms which are high tide marks. A submergent coastline is one where the sea level has risen. Submergent coastlines are identifiable by their drowned landforms. Then, there is a concordant or adjacent coastline. This is where different rock types run parallel to the shore. Lastly, there is the discordant coastline. This is the feature that is distinctive to landforms because the rocks are eroded by the waves. There are animals like puffins, sea turtles, and rock hopper penguins. Sea snails and various barnacles live on the coast. Most coastal animals are used to humans like dolphins and seagulls. There are many types of seabirds such as pelicans and cormorants. The plants that are found in coastal area are kelp beds and seaweed. Corals and anemones are true animals, but they live in a similar place to that of plants. Mangroves, seagrasses and salt marsh are important coastal vegetation types. The coastal waters that attract divers are often the "breeding grounds of storms," and other weather surprises. Temperatures are very hot in coastal waters. At night time, temperatures may cool down. These are all of the things that I have learned about coastal waters.

Resources: Science Class