Plants and animals have to make many varying adaptations for survival in an estuary:
- Spartina alterniflora, also known as smooth cord grass, have to adapt to varying salinity levels. They include filters which removes salt from water in which is to be used for digestion.
- Oysters close their shells and stop feeding during low tide. Although they take in oxygen from the water with their gills, they do not use oxygen during low tide. The need of oxygen during high tide is called aerobic respiration. It is called anaerobic respiration when oysters close their shells and stop using oxygen.