Narrow but elongate islands that shield the shore regions from storms are known as barrier islands. These islands are typically young, with varied environmental zones, and protect mainland ecosystems as well as help mitigate storm damage.
The narrow but elongate islands that protect the shore region from storms are often referred to as barrier islands. These islands are typically young and homogenous, with multiple environmental zones due to their varied altitudes. They feature distinct environments on their windward and leeward sides, often with one side being wet and the other dry. Barrier islands play a crucial role in coastal ecology by shielding the mainland from the force of storms and waves.
They are separated from the mainland by a lagoon or a body of shallow water. This lagoon area can have significant tides and sometimes high salinity depending on the freshwater inflow and the connection to the ocean.
So, barrier islands are essential geographical formations that act as natural defenses against coastal erosion and damage from storms. Despite being poor in certain resources like rock, they are rich in biodiversity due to their diverse environmental zones and the protection they offer to various plant and animal species.