Spray Zone
Characteristics of the spray zone are
what is above the spring high tide line and is covered by water only during storms?
Characteristics of the high tide zone are
what is relatively dry, covered only during the highest high tides?
Characteristics of the middle tide zone are
what is covered by all high tides and exposed during all low tides?
Characteristics of the low tide zone are
What is usually wet, but exposed during the lowest low tides?
The area above water level at low tide and underwater at high tide. This area can include several types of habitats with various species of life.
What is the intertidal zone?
The biggest challenge for animals living in the spray zone
What is drying out?
The first organisms to colonize this zone
rock weeds
Sea stars feed on them
what are mussels?
Variables that support great biodiversity in the low tide zone
What is solid water coverage with relatively shallow waters allows for substantial photosynthetic activity and protection from larger animals?
of, relating to, or occurring at the bottom of a body of water
What is benthic?
The diversity of marine algae in the spray zone
What is low?
Competition for attachment space in the high tide zone
What is high?
The conditions of the middle tide zone allow for more of these
What are marine algae and soft-bodied animals?
Marine organisms in this zone commonly hide here during low tide
What is marine algae?
At a rocky shoreline organisms that live on the surface are called
What is epifauna ?
One way animals in the spray zone prevent drying out
What is hiding in crevices, shells, clinging to rocks?
Sessile animals are
What are animals that attach to the bottom?
These are formed where rocks flatten out in the middle tide zone
What are tide pools?
A common animal in the low tide zone
What are sea cucumbers, Sea anemone, Sea slug, Sea stars, Sea Urchins, Brittle stars ?
Drying out, temperature, pH, and salinity fluctuations are all examples of these.
What are physical stressors?
An animal commonly found in the spray zone
What are Limpets, Rock louse, Periwinkles ?
A common animal in the high tide zone
What are Striped shore crabs, Buckshot barnacles, Chitons?
Three animals commonly found in the middle tide zone
What are Hermit crabs, Sea anemone’s , sea urchins, Mussels, barnacles, sea stars?
Three common plants found in the low tide zone
What are Surf grass, encrusting red algae, and Kelp?
competition between different species
What is Interspecific Competition?