Coastal habitats

Coasts are places where the land meets the sea. Australia is an island and has a huge coastline that has many different habitats. Coastal habitats include beaches, rock pools, estuaries and mangroves.

Ocean

The ocean is a huge area of salt water that covers almost three quarters the earth's surface.

Coastal Water

Coastal water is the seawater around the coast. It is usually more sheltered and shallower than the open ocean.

Beach

Beaches are very often very sandy areas. Beaches also include areas of rocks, dunes and crashing waves

Sand dunes

Sand dunes are formed by the wind blowing off the ocean and dropping sand high along the beach. Storms and people easily damage sand dunes.

Rock pools and rock platforms

Rock pools and platforms are part of the rocky shore environment. Animals and plants in these habitats survive being flooded in high tide and drying out at low tide.

Estuary

Estuaries are where the rivers and streams meet the sea. They provide important shelter for lots of young animals and plants.

Mangroves

Mangroves are groups of shrubs and trees that grow on the mud flats in coastal areas. These areas are often underwater at high tide.