The Intertidal Zone Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the intertidal zone?

The coastal area above water at low tide and under water at high tide.

What are the characteristics of the intertidal zone?

No life present

Consistent temperature

Exposed to dry air during low tide (correct)

Covered with water during high tide (correct)

List the 2 types of intertidal zones.

Sandy shore, Rocky shore

What 2 things have the greatest effect on intertidal zones?

Waves and tides Signup and view all the answers

What are tides?

Alternate rising and falling of the sea Signup and view all the answers

What is the splash zone?

The area where at high tide, waves crash. Signup and view all the answers

What are rocky shores?

An intertidal area of seacoasts where solid rock predominates. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of the rocky intertidal zone?

Tide pools Signup and view all the answers

Most organisms in the intertidal are freshwater.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean that the intertidal zone has a lot of biomass?

There is a lot of food available. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the intertidal zone have a high amount of biomass?

High sunlight and lots of nitrate and phosphate, which are good for algae nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

How can waves affect organisms?

Waves can affect organisms if they are not attached. Signup and view all the answers

Where does the wave force have the highest effect?

Rocky intertidal zone Signup and view all the answers

What are abiotic factors?

Tides, waves, little/no oxygen, little light, dense, sediment types. Signup and view all the answers

What are two causes of the tides?

Gravitational pull of the moon and sun, the rotation of the earth. Signup and view all the answers

When is the tide the highest?

When the sun and the moon align. Signup and view all the answers

When is the tide the lowest?

When the sun and the moon are perpendicular. Signup and view all the answers

What are two effects of the tides?

Exposes and submerges from coastline, drives circulation of bays and estuaries. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common type of producer found in rocky tide pool areas?

Algae Signup and view all the answers

What are stressors for organisms in the rocky shore?

Overheating, wave shock, cold. Signup and view all the answers

What are some adaptations for overheating and drying out?

Large body, light color, accumulate in large clumps, close shells at low tide, move down as tide retreats. Signup and view all the answers

What are adaptations for wave shock?

Compressed or flattened bodies, adhere tightly to rock. Signup and view all the answers

What are tide pool stressors?

Water loses oxygen as it heats, salinity may change, oxygen in tide pools containing algae may change. Signup and view all the answers

What are tide pools?

A pool of water remaining on a reef or beach after the tide has receded. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of tide pool organisms?

Algae, starfish, anemones, urchins, sea cucumbers, barnacles. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Intertidal Zone Overview

The intertidal zone is the coastal area immersed underwater during high tide and exposed to air during low tide.
It experiences varying conditions due to tidal movements and wave action.

Characteristics of the Intertidal Zone

Covered with water at high tide, providing a marine environment.
Exposed to dry air at low tide, creating unique survival challenges for organisms.

Types of Intertidal Zones

Sandy shore: Composed primarily of sand, offering different habitats and species.
Rocky shore: Characterized by solid rock, hosting various organisms adapted to harsh conditions.

Influencing Factors

Waves and tides are the main factors impacting the intertidal zone, affecting habitat dynamics and organism availability.

Tides

Tides result from the gravitational pull of the moon and sun combined with Earth's rotation, causing the sea to alternate between rising and falling.

Splash Zone

This area is where waves crash during high tide, affecting organisms' survival and habitat structure.

Rocky Shores

Rocky shores are intertidal zones dominated by solid rock, serving as a habitat for diverse marine life.

Rocky Intertidal Zone Example

Tide pools are found in rocky intertidal areas, providing unique ecosystems.

Organism Types

Organisms in the intertidal zone are primarily marine, as opposed to freshwater.

Biomass in the Intertidal Zone

High biomass indicates abundant food sources resulting from photosynthesis and nutrient availability.

Nutritional Dynamics

High sunlight levels and the presence of nitrates and phosphates support high levels of algae growth, crucial for the food web.

Wave Impact

Organisms not attached to surfaces can be adversely affected by wave action, especially in rocky intertidal zones.

Abiotic Factors

Key abiotic factors include tides, waves, oxygen availability, light levels, density, and sediment types, all influencing organism survival.

Tidal Cycles

The highest tides occur when the sun and moon align, while the lowest tides occur when they are perpendicular to each other.

Tidal Effects

Tides expose and submerge coastlines and drive the circulation of bays and estuaries.

Dominant Producers

Algae are the most common producers found in rocky tide pool areas, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem.

Stressors for Rocky Shore Organisms

Key stressors include overheating, wave shock, and temperature fluctuations leading to harsh living conditions.

Adaptations to Environmental Stress

Organisms develop adaptations to minimize overheating and desiccation, such as large body sizes, light coloration, clumping behavior, and retreats to lower areas.

Wave Shock Adaptations

Organisms exhibit flattened or compressed body shapes and strong adhesion to rocks to withstand wave forces.

Tide Pool Dynamics

Tide pools can experience rapid changes in oxygen levels, salinity, temperature, and pH when tides return, challenging the organisms within.

Tide Pool Definition

Tide pools are bodies of water that remain on reefs or beaches after tides recede, creating unique microhabitats.

Tide Pool Organisms

Common organisms include algae, starfish, anemones, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and barnacles, each adapted to tide pool conditions.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the intertidal zone with these flashcards. Learn about its definition, characteristics, and types through a series of question-and-answer formats. Perfect for students studying coastal ecology.