The Mouth of the River
In The Mouth of The River: Magic Where River Meets Sea, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how playful macaques swim and splash in a watery paradise. Explore the world’s largest delta, the largest mangrove forest, and a salt-marsh grass habitat. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: What impact do rivers have on the environment?
A: They erode mountains and transport the sediment; they form deltas and estuaries.
Q: How are living things adapted to the delta habitat?
A: Mangroves grow in deep water rather than dry soil; macaques swim, hold their breath, and eat crabs and sunken food; snow geese rest and refuel in salt-marsh estuaries along their migration.
Q: Do you think the mouth of a river is a good place for people to build homes? Why or why not?
A: Student responses will vary. Students may say no because there is constant deposition of sediment or because the area is prone to seasonal flooding.