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Life in the Tidal ZoneSurvival!
2 Major ecological concepts are in effect:
Competition For Space For Resources (food, water, space…)
Adaptations To prevent desiccation (drying out) To anchor themselves To protect themselves
Tidal Zone AdaptationTidal habitats change daily with the tides, so organisms adapt, or adjust to changing
environmental conditions with special features to:Avoid drying out
Protect themselves from predators
Anchor themselves to resist waves
Limpets shape their shells to fit a specific rock: effective seal against
water loss
Tube feet of sea star used for
locomotion and suction/anchorage
Hermit crab hiding in it’s
scavenged shell
Pipefish well camouflaged in eelgrass bed
Types of Tidal HabitatsSandy Beaches and Mud Flats Rocky Shores
Different tidal habitats require different adaptations
• Substrate offers lots of nutrients, but little structure for attachment • Animals bury themselves in mud• Can also attach to plants
• Little protection from strong waves: animals must anchor
• Complex tide pools possible
• Seaweeds offer protection from drying
Tidal Zones
Splash Zone
High Tide Zone
Middle Tide Zone
Low Tide Zone
Zones affected daily by changing tidesAdaptations are required to avoid drying out, wave action and predators
Intertidal ZoneHigh, Mid and Low
Tidal habitats are divided into zones based on relative beach location and how often they are covered by water
Tides are controlled by moon’s gravity pulling on the ocean.
High on beach Out of water most of the time Species must tolerate salt,
heat, cold, and extended dry periods
Adaptation example: Barnacles and algae are most tolerant to desiccation (drying out)
Splash Zone
Splash Zone Life
Amphipods
Periwinkles
IsopodsBlue-Green
Algae
Lichen
Increased wave action Tide pools provide some protection Adaptations include ability to survive exposure to air without drying out and to survive wave action.Adaptation example: Anemones survive wave action by attaching themselves to the sheltered side of large rocks
High Tide Zone
High Tide Zone Life Acorn BarnaclesLimpets
Shore Crab
Rockweed
Anemones
Hermit CrabsBlack
Turban Snails
Most active region Covered and uncovered twice a day Life must tolerate BOTH
submersion in water and exposure to air
Animals move in and out of adjacent zones to feed
Adaptation example: The tube feet of an ochre sea star allow it to suction on to surfaces
Middle Tide Zone
Middle Tide Zone Life
Gooseneck barnacles
Ochre sea starSea palmsAnemones
California mussels Black leather chitons
Click here for a quick video!
Most food and shelter Most diversity of organisms compared to
other zones Less exposure to air and heat – under water
for a lot of the time Animals unable to exist in other zones
because they will dry out Adaptation example: Anemones have tentacles
that inject a paralyzing neurotoxin when touched
Low Tide Zone(Subtidal zone)
Low Tide Zone Life
Nudibranch(sea slug)
Kelp crabsGumboot Chiton
Purple sea urchin Giant Green Sea
Anemone
Coralline algae
Bull kelp
Summary Exposure to Water
Most time
Each zone requires unique adaptations for survival
Splash ZoneHigh Tide ZoneMiddle Tide ZoneLow Tide Zone
Intertidal Zone Organisms
What is an Estuary?An estuary is a semi-enclosed body of water
where freshwater meeting and mixes with saltwater.
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