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MISCELLANEOUS ECOSYSTEMS > LAGOONS
River-mouth lagoons occur where a river meets the ocean. Because of the mixing of both fresh and salt water, these types of lagoons may share characteristics with both coastal lagoons and estuaries. They can forms in different ways but are always carved out by movement of the river flow. Most of these lagoons form behind gravel and sand barriers deposited by the river and which run parallel to the coastline.
These lagoon environments are particularly common on New Zealand's South Island where they are often referred to as hapua, a Maori word meaning lagoon. The area around Christchurch, known as Canterbury Bight (pictured above), is an excellent place to observe river-mouth lagoons.
Like coastal lagoons and estuaries, river-mouth lagoons play an important environmental role. They provide a corridor between the sea and freshwater bodies important to migrating fish. Additionally, the lagoons are often used as a nesting areas for migratory birds. As with the similar ecosystems, people have used river-mouth lagoons throughout history for fishing and recreation.
River-mouth lagoons occur where a river meets the ocean. Because of the mixing of both fresh and salt water, these types of lagoons may share characteristics with both coastal lagoons and estuaries. They can forms in different ways but are always carved out by movement of the river flow. Most of these lagoons form behind gravel and sand barriers deposited by the river and which run parallel to the coastline.
These lagoon environments are particularly common on New Zealand's South Island where they are often referred to as hapua, a Maori word meaning lagoon. The area around Christchurch, known as Canterbury Bight (pictured above), is an excellent place to observe river-mouth lagoons.
Like coastal lagoons and estuaries, river-mouth lagoons play an important environmental role. They provide a corridor between the sea and freshwater bodies important to migrating fish. Additionally, the lagoons are often used as a nesting areas for migratory birds. As with the similar ecosystems, people have used river-mouth lagoons throughout history for fishing and recreation.
