ECOLOGY OF THE SEASHORE lecture resources Bringing ecology to life ECOLOGY OF THE SEASHORE A complete seashore sampling and quantification course on CD-ROM. PowerPoint presentations showing the species you are likely to find and the techniques you need. LECTURE 6 ECOLOGY OF THE STRANDLINE Photography, text & design by Dr James Merryweather

THE STRANDLINE At every high tide, the sea casts large 2 At every high tide, the sea casts large quantities of ‘flotsam’ onto the shore THE STRANDLINE

THE STRANDLINE Besides domestic refuse, ‘jetsam’ from ships, 3 Besides domestic refuse, ‘jetsam’ from ships, leaves, twigs and logs, most is dead seaweed THE STRANDLINE

THE STRANDLINE High tides vary between high springs and low 4 High tides vary between high springs and low neaps, so a series of strandlines can be deposited THE STRANDLINE

Different tides bring in different strandline material 5 Leaves Seaweed Different tides bring in different strandline material THE STRANDLINE

In autumn, cast up leaves can be very diverse and well mixed 6 In autumn, cast up leaves can be very diverse and well mixed THE STRANDLINE Oak, Birch, Willow, Ash, Rowan, Alder, Hawthorn

When first cast up, seaweeds are plainly recognisable . . . 7 When first cast up, seaweeds are plainly recognisable . . . THE STRANDLINE

Kelp fragments with egg, bladder & serrated wracks 8 Kelp fragments with egg, bladder & serrated wracks THE STRANDLINE

Seaweed rots rapidly as micro- organisms use it as a food source 9 Seaweed rots rapidly as micro- organisms use it as a food source THE STRANDLINE

THE STRANDLINE Orchestia gamarellus 10 Orchestia gamarellus It becomes a thick, smelly soup, the ideal home for sandhoppers and the larvae of seaweed flies THE STRANDLINE

THE STRANDLINE Above the high tide line, shingle fertilised 11 Above the high tide line, shingle fertilised by dead seaweed is home to a range of plants THE STRANDLINE

Many strandline plants are seashore specialists 12 Many strandline plants are seashore specialists THE STRANDLINE

Tripleurospermum maritimum 13 Sea mayweed Tripleurospermum maritimum THE STRANDLINE

14 Sea campion Silene uniflora THE STRANDLINE

15 Sea aster Aster tripolium THE STRANDLINE

Cochlearia officinalis 16 Scurvey grass Cochlearia officinalis THE STRANDLINE

Atriplex glabriuscula 17 Babbington’s orache Atriplex glabriuscula THE STRANDLINE

THE STRANDLINE Rumex crispus Others are (or have become) weeds 18 Rumex crispus Others are (or have become) weeds of agricultural land and waste places THE STRANDLINE

THE STRANDLINE Curled dock Rumex crispus Goosegrass Galium aparine 19 Galium aparine Rumex crispus Curled dock Rumex crispus Goosegrass Galium aparine THE STRANDLINE

20 Silverweed Potentilla anserina THE STRANDLINE

21 Chickweed Stellaria media THE STRANDLINE

22 BEACH COMBING - A strandline searcher may discover many treasures: biological, intriguing, even profitable.