
Seashore Zones
from the Eyewitness Video - "Seashore"
Spray
or Splash Zone:
-
Nesting
area for many species of shorebirds (penguins, gulls, pelicans,
etc.)
-
Plants
- not a lot of water available here. Plants here are much like cactus
plants that need to store rainwater for later use. Some shoreline plants can be consumed
as food. Most plants
in this area die off, decay and eventually turn to chalk deposits
within the sand layers.
-
Wind
- creates sand dunes and causes plants to take on the appearance
of weathervanes.
-
Waves
- about 8,000 waves per day strike the average shoreline carving
out stacks, arches, blowholes and caves.
Tidal
Pool Zone:
-
This
area is caused by the retreating of the tide (low tide).
-
Organisms
here can last from 8 to 18 hours in small pools created by the shoreline.
-
Sea
Anemone, Sea Urchins, Barnicles, Starfish, Hermit Crabs, and other
crustaceans live here.
-
Tides
(high and low) are a direct result of the moon's gravitational pull
(and a lesser effect of the sun's gravitational pull).
-
"Spring"
tides (highest of the high tides) occur once every month. "Neap" (lowest of the low
tides) occur on a monthly rotation as well.
-
Tides
can range from as little as a few feet to as much as 47 feet in
some areas. The average
tide usually runs 6 to 8 feet.
-
Sun's
effect on tidal pool heating could be the greatest danger to most
organisms.
Tidal
Waters Zone:
-
"Hold-fast
habitat" is a term used to describe this zone because of the
presence of kelp.
-
Kelp
- frequently called the underwater forest.
-
Kelp
fish - predator adaptation of this species that lives within the
strands of kelp.
-
Kelp
grows at a rate of three feet per day!
-
Kelp
farming - the algae of the plant is used in the production of household
products (toothpaste, beer, paint, etc.).
-
This
area is also a shellfish habitat.
-
The
tidal waters zone is used as a nursery by some species of animals
(sharks).
Sub-tidal
Zone:
-
This
zone begins where the lowest of low tides end.
-
Animals
and plants found in this zone cannot tolerate being out of the water
for any period of time.
-
Crustaceans
- lobsters where discussed in this part of the video.
-
Use
of this zone for shipping.
Ocean shipping is one of the most popular methods of moving
products around the world!
-
Coral
reefs are found in this zone.
Also mentioned was the octopus and cuddle fish.
Copyright
© 2005 - Clinton Middle School All rights reserved
Last updated:
October 28, 2005
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