User:Nkanter/Christmas Bay (Texas)

Ecology
This small bay is on the southern coast of Texas near the city of Galveston. It is surrounded by the natural region of the gulf prairies and marshes. The plains are crossed by meandering streams that run southeast into the western Galveston Bay estuary and feature vast fresh and salty marshes .The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has classified the bay as a nursery area and a Coastal Preserve because it supports a greater diversity of fin-fish than any other part of the Galveston Bay estuary. The shallow-water perimeters of the preserve are home to the Texas quahog, an edible type of hard clam. Waterfowl and shorebirds, both migratory and permanent, can be found in the region. Waterbirds graze and nest on cordgrass stands, and huge oyster reefs may be found in the area. Two endangered bird species call it home, the piping plover and brown pelican. Redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and flounder are all common fish on the bayside. This unusual and complicated mixing of waters from many sources serves as a nursery and breeding ground for a diverse range of marine life, including crabs, shrimp, oysters, and a variety of fish, resulting in a thriving fishing business. The bay's channels provide ideal habitat for bottlenose dolphins, who eat a variety of fish. In addition, the bayous, rivers, and marshes that surround the bay maintain their own ecosystems, including a varied range of fauna and allowing freshwater crawfish farming. The marshes that surround the bay are home to a diverse range of wildlife. The American alligator and the bobcat are notable terrestrial species, while the roseate spoonbill, great and snowy egrets, white-faced ibis, and mottled duck are notable avian species. Christmas Bay is a shallow 4,173-acre embayment in the Galveston Bay system's southwest corner. The bay features high water quality, vast oyster reefs, and surrounding salt marsh habitat and has not been significantly impacted by human activities. The 42,000-acre Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is located on the bay's northern side.

History
Approximately 18 thousand years ago, the Gulf Coast took on its current shape during the most recent glacial era. Low global sea levels permitted the Texas landmass to stretch much farther south than it does now, and the Trinity River excavated a 170-foot-deep canyon on its way to the ocean through what is now the Houston Ship Channel's outlet. Rising sea levels filled this tiny canyon first when the glacial era ended, followed by the vast lowlands of today's Trinity Bay. Between 7 and 5 thousand years ago, rapid sea-level rise moved the Gulf Coast northward to its current latitude.

Climate
The Bay's climate is classed as humid subtropical. Prevailing south and southeast breezes bring heat from Mexico's deserts and precipitation from the Gulf of Mexico. Summer temperatures routinely surpass 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity in the area raises the heat index even further. Winters in the region are warm, with average winter highs of 60 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual rainfall is considerably over 40 inches on average, with the area reaching well over 50 inches sometimes. During the fall season, hurricanes are a constant concern.