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.

 

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October 28, 2005

 


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