Defining Characteristics
Where is an intertidal zone?
Where ocean meets land
Which zone has the most biodiversity?
Low zone
What are mussels in danger of as the tide moves out?
Drying out
Where do larger animals tend to hunt?
Spray and high zones
Produce a "glue" to keep cemented in place regardless of wave action
What is an example of an intertidal zone?
Beaches
What is called when species are spread out through an intertidal zone?
Elevation gradient
Where do smaller organisms hide when the tide goes out to stay damp?
Bury themselves in the sediment
Who tends to hunt around low tide?
How do mussels keep from drying out in the sun?
They retain moisture in their shells
What are the 4 zones?
What is an example of an organism that lives in an intertidal zone?
Sea anemones, Barnacles, Chitons, Isopods, Mussels, Seastars, Limpets, Whelks
(Any of these)
What changes occur in the environment as the tides move in/out?
Salinity, wave action, air exposure, moisture
How does upwelling effect food availability?
Upwelling creates an abundance of nutrients, creating high productivity and a larger supply of food
What do many of the organisms that live in high tide have in common?
Hard outer shell or exoskeleton to protect themselves from the strong light
How many times does the tide come in per day?
2 times
What is a factor that changes as the tide levels change?
Water levels, salinity, air exposure, light exposure
Other than in sediment, where do organisms often hide when the tides move out to stay damp?
Tide pools
How does the availability of light effect primary producers?
The more light there is, the more primary producers there are because they can photosynthesize
How to mangroves help reduce the effects of climate change?
Store carbon dioxide
Which zone is most protected from light?
The low zone
How do the types of organisms change as you move down the elevation gradient?
How does light exposure effect temperature variations in intertidal zones?
Organisms can go from very cold to very hot based on their light exposure which can be dangerous
What is the most abundant primary producer on the rocky shores of intertidal zones?
Macroalgae (species like rockweed and sea palm)
How do fish survive in varying water temperatures?
In colder water (when the tide comes in), fish can slow down their metabolic rates to conserve energy