Abiotic Factors
The water levels at the beach change throughout the day because of these.
tides
Because of strong currents, the soft bottom habitat has none of these.
plants
Soft bottom habitats are home to clams, worms, and fiddler crabs because they do this action in the sand or mud.
burrow
The beach is sandy and shelly with lots of this type of action.
wave action
Oyster reefs in the shell bottom habitat help perform this important cleaning function for the water.
filter water
Because it is at the edge of the water, the wetland or marsh habitat is always in this condition.
muddy
This is the most common, salt-tolerant plant found in the wetland or marsh habitat.
marsh cordgrass
Ghost crabs, mole crabs, coquina clams, and a few insects are some of the few inhabitants of this sandy habitat.
the beach
The maritime forest is located directly behind these protective sandy structures.
dunes
Shell bottoms and marshes help slow down big storm waves, preventing this destructive coastal process.
erosion
The beach is described as being like this dry biome because it has no freshwater.
desert
The maritime forest is mostly made up of this specific type of tree.
live oaks
Raccoons, deer, squirrels, foxes, and opossums are inland animals that can also live in this coastal habitat.
maritime forest
The soft bottom habitat includes sand flats, mud flats, shoals, and this zone on the beach.
surf zone
Hard bottoms provide animals like coral, sponges, and barnacles a place to do this.
attach
The soft bottom habitat lacks plants due to strong water flow and these.
strong currents
Sea oats and American beach grass are some of the only plants that can grow in this very dry, sandy habitat.
the dune
Birds and small mammals are commonly found in the "high" area of this muddy habitat.
marsh or wetland
The maritime forest is often adjacent to salt marshes on these types of islands.
barrier islands
The wetland or marsh habitat traps sand and dirt, and absorbs this harmful collection of materials.
pollution
Small trees and shrubs in the maritime forest must be able to tolerate lots of this blowing in from the nearby ocean.
salt spray
Plants in the marsh habitat must adapt to being covered by this during high tide.
salt water
Reef fish, such as snapper and grouper, hide in the crevices of rocks and between the coral in this habitat.
hard bottom
The hard bottom includes artificial habitats like old military ships, train cars, and even the ship belonging to this famous pirate!
Blackbeard
The wetland/marsh and the shell bottom both serve as this type of safe area for small animals to hide, find food, and grow.
nursery area