life in the tidal zone survival!. what is an estuary? an estuary is a semi-enclosed body of water...
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Life in the Tidal ZoneLife in the Tidal Zone
Survival!Survival!
What is an Estuary?What is an Estuary?An estuary is a semi-enclosed body of water
where freshwater meeting and mixes with saltwater.
An estuary is a semi-enclosed body of water
where freshwater meeting and mixes with saltwater.
Tidal Zone AdaptationTidal Zone AdaptationTidal habitats change daily with the tides, so organisms adapt, or adjust to changing
environmental conditions with special features to:
Tidal 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
Types of Tidal HabitatsTypes of Tidal Habitats
Sandy 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
Tidal ZonesTidal 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
High on beach Out of water most of the timeSpecies must tolerate salt, heat, cold, and extended dry periods Adaptation example: Amphipods bury themselves to stay moist when the tide is out.
Splash ZoneSplash Zone
Splash Zone Life
Splash Zone Life
Amphipods
Periwinkles
IsopodsBlue-Green
Algae
Lichen
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 ZoneHigh Tide Zone
High Tide Zone LifeHigh Tide Zone Life
Barnacles
Limpets
Shore Crab
Rockweed
Anemones
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 a star
fish allow it to suction on to surfaces
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 a star
fish allow it to suction on to surfaces
Middle Tide ZoneMiddle Tide Zone
Middle Tide Zone Life
Middle Tide Zone Life
Wrinkled Whelks Pisaster Sea Stars
Batillaria snailJapanese Eelgrass
Anemones
Most food and shelter 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: Tube worms build
hard tubes around their soft bodies for protection
Most food and shelter 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: Tube worms build
hard tubes around their soft bodies for protection
Low Tide ZoneLow Tide Zone
Low Tide Zone Life
Low Tide Zone Life
Native Eelgrass
Opalescent Nudibranch(sea slug)
Orange Sea Cucumber
Black Katy Chiton
Tube Worm
Summary Summary Exposure to Water
Most time
Each zone requires unique adaptations for survival
Splash Zone
High Tide Zone
Middle Tide Zone
Low Tide Zone