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Life in the Tidal Zone Survival!

Tidal zones notes ppt

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Page 1: Tidal zones notes ppt

Life in the Tidal ZoneSurvival!

Page 2: Tidal zones notes ppt

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

Page 3: Tidal zones notes ppt

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

Page 4: Tidal zones notes ppt

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

Page 5: Tidal zones notes ppt

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.

Page 6: Tidal zones notes ppt

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

Page 7: Tidal zones notes ppt

Splash Zone Life

Amphipods

Periwinkles

IsopodsBlue-Green

Algae

Lichen

Page 8: Tidal zones notes ppt

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

Page 9: Tidal zones notes ppt

High Tide Zone Life Acorn BarnaclesLimpets

Shore Crab

Rockweed

Anemones

Hermit CrabsBlack

Turban Snails

Page 10: Tidal zones notes ppt

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

Page 11: Tidal zones notes ppt

Middle Tide Zone Life

Gooseneck barnacles

Ochre sea starSea palmsAnemones

California mussels Black leather chitons

Click here for a quick video!

Page 12: Tidal zones notes ppt

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)

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Low Tide Zone Life

Nudibranch(sea slug)

Kelp crabsGumboot Chiton

Purple sea urchin Giant Green Sea

Anemone

Coralline algae

Bull kelp

Page 14: Tidal zones notes ppt

Summary Exposure to Water

Most time

Each zone requires unique adaptations for survival

Splash ZoneHigh Tide ZoneMiddle Tide ZoneLow Tide Zone

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Intertidal Zone Organisms

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGMCaTwkKrc

Page 17: Tidal zones notes ppt

What is an Estuary?An estuary is a semi-enclosed body of water

where freshwater meeting and mixes with saltwater.