The Intertidal zone

What exactly IS an intertidal zone? What types of them are there??? a) Lower intertidal zone - dry only during the lowest tides and contains the highest biodiversity within the intertidal zone. b) Middle intertidal zone - regularly covered with sea water. c) Upper intertidal zone - covered by water during high tide so it experiences dry periods daily. d) Spray zone - the "desert" of the intertidal zone, this area survives on the mist and spray of the ocean.

Biotic Factors There are many living things in the intertidal zone. These include plants and animals like: Abalone, anemones, brown seaweed, chitons, crabs, green algae, hydroids, isopods, limpets, mussels, sea cucumbers, sea lettuce, sea palms, sea stars, sea urchins, shrimp, snails, snails, sponges, surf grass, and tube worms. -These organisms are not well adapted to the periods of dryness and temperature extremes in the low tide zone. -This area is also protected from large predators such as large fish because of the wave action and the water still being relatively shallow.

Abiotic Factors -Rocks -The water temperature [effects where the organisms live] -Dept of water [some organisms can live in shallow waters where there is more air, while some need to live deep down where there is an abundant source of prey.]

Where is it located in the environment??? This complex marine ecosystem is found along coastlines worldwide. -Glacier Bay, Alaska -Nahant, Massachusetts -Station Beach in Puerto Penasco, Mexico

Predators, Producers && Consumers… Predators Animals that live in the littoral zone have a wide variety of predators who eat them. When the tide is in, littoral organisms are preyed upon by sea animals (like fish). When the tide is out, they are preyed upon by land animals, like foxes and people. Birds (like gulls) and marine mammals (like walruses) also prey on intertidal organisms extensively. Producers phytoplankton Primary Consumers Zooplankton Tertiary Consumers Seabirds.

Effect it has on the Environment Organisms in the intertidal zone are adapted to an environment of harsh extremes. Water is available regularly with the tides but varies from fresh with rain to highly saline and dry salt with drying between tidal inundations. The action of waves can dislodge residents in the littoral zone. With the intertidal zone's high exposure to the sun the temperature range can be anything from very hot with full sun to near freezing in colder climes. Some microclimates in the littoral zone are ameliorated by local features and larger plants such as mangroves.