intertidal walk introduction - about the intertidal zone - safety - equipment

Intertidal Walk

• Introduction

- About the Intertidal Zone

- Safety

- Equipment

Intertidal Zone

• There are different types of reefs. The reef around North Keppel Island is a fringing reef

• We are in a green zone, which means that it is a ‘no take’ zone. This allows the area to regenerate.

Factors affecting the intertidal zone

* The intertidal zone is subject to tides and the associated physical and biological stresses of being covered with water and then exposed to air.

* The organisms living in the intertidal zone have adaptations to aid survival in their particular habitat.

• Abiotic (non-living) factors - pH - amount of light - salinity - slope - turbidity, current - wind speed - temperature

Life in the intertidal zone

• There is an amazing and diverse range of plant and animal organisms in the intertidal zone

• You might see tube worms, sea slugs, soft corals, mudskippers, algae

• If you move a rock, it must be put back exactly as it was to protect the life underneath the rock

Safety

• There are dangerous organisms in the reef.• General rule – If you are not sure, then

don’t touch it!• Beware of cone shells and a specific few corals

that can sting• Beware of oysters on the rocks, and stay away

from them as much as possible• Stay together as a group and follow teacher

instructions

Take care of this beautiful area

• Be gentle with any animals that you might touch such as sea slugs

• Stay on the sand patches as much as possible

• We will be making an impact just by walking, so try and make that impact as minimal as possible.

Equipment

• Students need

- closed in shoes that can get wet

- sunscreen

- hat

• Teacher will need- Radio- First aid kit