The Black Rock Intertidal Zone

The view towards Harbourville The view towards Harbourville. Note the steep cliffs created by wave and tidal action over the years.

The Upper Zone of the Fundy Shore The upper zone is characterized by green and blue green seaweeds. Animal life is limited due to the harsh abiotic conditions such as desiccation and salinity.

Classic Upper Zone Take note of the green slippery algae over the rocks and the lack of Knotted Wrack and Fucus. Imaging the baking effects of the sun on this algae. That is why it is slippery as it has a jelly layer to prevent drying out.

Tidepools of the Upper Zone Sea Lettuce Enteromorpha

What is that thing anyway??? Is this the upper zone? What is that thing anyway???

The Middle Zone of the Fundy Shore Upper Zone Middle Zone Note the change in vegetation in this picture.

Middle Zone Tidepool This pool is surrounded by Knotted Wrack and has some pink Lithothamnium and Irish moss. It is a middle zone pool showing tendencies of the lower zone.

Barnacles characterize the upper regions of the Middle Zone. Ascophylum or Knotted Wrack is easily seen in the lower portions of the Middle Zone.

Fucus is very evident in the Middle Zone

Barnacles are filter feeders feeding on plankton and detritus. Barnacle Feeding Barnacles are filter feeders feeding on plankton and detritus.

A Symbiotic Relationship In the Middle Zone the Ascophylum (Knotted Wrack and the red Polysiphonia live in a symbiotic relationship.

The change in algae types is quite drastic from the Upper Zone. Students find it tough going on the slippery brown algae of the Middle Zone The change in algae types is quite drastic from the Upper Zone.

Middle Lower Interface At this point the brownish middle zone starts to turn into the red algae lower zone.

Lower Zone Tidepool The lower tidepool is identified by the pink color and the kelp in the pool. Also the Irish moss in the lower part of the image is indicative of this zone.

Kelp, a brown algae, is common in the lower zone pools Kelp, a brown algae, is common in the lower zone pools. It has a very strong holdfast to secure it to cope with the wave action.

Irish Moss was very evident in the tide pools of the lower middle zone.

Bread Crumb and Dead man’s fingers sponge can usually be seen in the lower zones of the Fundy shore intertidal areas.                                                                                                                                                                                      

On the left is a sea anemone that is closed On the left is a sea anemone that is closed. They are quite beautiful when the tentacles are showing.                                                                                           

The Phylum Mollusca at Black Rock The Blue Mussels The Periwinkle Family 1. Rough 2. Dwarf 3. Common

……. more Phylum Mollusca!! Dog whelks feeding on barnacles. The common Limpet (Chinese Hat Snail) Dog whelks feeding on barnacles. A dog whelk hole in a shell.

Dog whelks and their eggs.

……. And even more Molluscs In past years we have found sea slugs and chitons. They are common to the lower zone.                                                                                           

Phylum Annelida: segmented worms These are a species of Polychaete. Sometimes these are called sandworms. We usually find them if the tide is out far enough.

Rock Crabs are quite common in the Fundy intertidal zone.

Other Arthropods of the Fundy Shore Green crab Amphipods Copepods

Hermit crabs: These crabs live in vacated shells of molluscs.                                                                                                                                                                                      

And there are Echinoderms also !!! Sea star or starfish!! These animals feed on shellfish. Note how the stomach comes out of the body when feeding.

Rock gunnel or Rock eel Rock gunnels or eels are common along the Fundy sure. They love to hide under the seaweeds and rocks and scare people.

This is the mermaids purse (No. Not the mermaid at the end of the road This is the mermaids purse (No.. Not the mermaid at the end of the road!!) which is the egg case of the a skate. The skate is a relative of the sharks. Look for one at Black Rock.

As your studies will prove the number of species increases as you move closer to the low tide line. Take note of all the periwinkles on the rocks. This was not evident in the upper zone.