Question

A developer proposes to drain an estuary, and then use the land to build an ocean-side hotel, houses, and parking lots. Which would be the MOST LIKELY effect of the new development on the local ecosystem?

Answer 1

Answer:

reduction in biodiversity by eliminating spawning and nursery grounds of aquatic life

Explanation:

Estuaries are transition zones localized between rivers and marine ecotones. These regions are influenced by marine factors such as waves, tides, and saline water, while rivers provide freshwater and sedimentary material. The mixture between seawater and freshwater is generally highly nutritive, thereby estuaries often represent high-production systems where fishes and shellfishes spawn and grow. However, many estuaries have suffered the negative effects of human activities, including deforestation, drainage, overfishing, nutrient pollution, etc.