How does salinity affect aquatic life?

Salinity plays a crucial role in determining the types of organisms that can thrive in a given aquatic environment. Freshwater, brackish, and saltwater habitats each support different communities of species that are adapted to their specific salinity levels. Organisms have developed varying mechanisms to cope with salinity; for example, fish species such as salmon migrate between freshwater and saltwater as part of their life cycles, requiring different physiological adaptations to manage the contrasting salinity levels.

Changes in salinity can affect the metabolic processes of aquatic organisms, their reproductive success, and the availability of food sources, all of which influence species distribution and overall survival rates. Certain species may thrive in specific salinity levels, while others may find those conditions challenging or even fatal. Therefore, understanding the effects of salinity is essential for managing aquatic ecosystems and conserving biodiversity.