Subtidal Community

Soft Bottom

SAV (eelgrass)

Figure 10.22

Subtidal Zone

• The part of the continental shelf that is always covered by water – from the low tide mark to the shelf break (150m

or 490 ft)

Subtidal Zone

• Temperature varies from place to place due to its shallowness

• Bottom still affected by waves, tides and currents

• Very productive areas – nutrients & light

Subtidal Zone

• Soft Bottom Communites– Seagrass Beds (NOW)

• Hard Bottom Communites– Kelp Forests (previously viewed)

Seagrass Beds

• Develop in sheltered shallow water

• Most species prefer warm waters– Turtle Grass

• Some are found in colder areas– Eelgrass (Zostera marina) our local species

Figure 13.17

Ecological Targets

Hard Clams Seagrass Meadows

Seagrass Beds

• Slow down currents

• Increase the depositing of sediments

• Have roots - can absorb nutrients from the sediment

Seagrass Beds

• Important nursery for juvenile animals– Bay scallop on Long Island

Fig. 13.18

Figure 13.16

Generalized food web in a seagrass community

…go to…

• SAV ppt

• SAV/Fire Island ppt

• SAV/Global Climate Change ppt