The northern region of the Bay of Fundy features extensive tidal flats and a large number of expansive salt marshes. These occur as a result of the Fundy tides. During each tidal cycle, enormous quantities of fine sediments are brought in to flood the tidal area. Much of the sediment then remains in the sheltered areas along the coast, forming the popular red mudflats of the upper Bay. The mudflats and salt marshes are critical pieces of Fundy’s food production system.
As the tides churn the water up everyday the water is rather turbid, or clouded. The rays of the sun can’t reach very deep into the water, so phytoplankton can’t photosynthesize. However, when the tide ebbs, it leaves behind a wealth of nutriments on the mud flats fully exposed to the sun. As a result, phytoplankton production is really low in the water but unusually high on the mud flats and salt marshes. Additionally, both intertidal areas contribute critical nutrient elements to the Bay of Fundy ecosystem.
The mud flats also provide easy access to food for migratory shorebirds. Each year up to two million semi-palmated sandpipers and other shorebirds stop over in the Fundy area during July and August on their yearly migration from their spring breeding areas, far to the north on the arctic tundra, to their wintering areas along the coastlines of South America.
The semi-palmated sandpipers that settle in the Minas Basin and other areas represent 75-95% of the entire world’s population of this species. They build up their body fat on tiny shellfish found only in mud of a certain consistency.
Because of the strength of the tide, the Bay acts as a enormous nutrient pump for the rest of the Gulf of Maine, sending its waters rushing out past Grand Manan Island to mix in the Gulf of Maine current. It is around Grand Manan Island that one can see the great whales frolic in the early fall annually.
Just south of Grand Manan Island is Machias Seal Island, a speck of rock on which a rising population of puffins lives. Their presence is testament to the relatively undisturbed character of this corner of the Gulf of Maine.
For more information regarding the highest tides and the Bay of Fundy weather visit bayoffundy.com