Lecture 13 Flashcards
What are intertidal zones?
Anywhere the ocean meets the land.
-rocky intertidal
-sandy beach
-mudflat
Where are intertidal habitats ?
occur between the low and high tide lines
What are common species in Southern California rocky intertidal habitats?
-Autotrophs
-filter/suspension feeders
-grazers
-carnivores
-scavenger
What factors causes stress at low tide?
-air
-sun (dessication)
-heat
What adaptations do these species have?
-shells
-hide under rocks/seaweed
What factors cause stress at high tide?
-waves
-waterflow
What adaptations do these species have?
-permanently staying on rocks
-shells to help from water smashing them
What do snails do to help them stay on the rocks?
They release a sticky sap that helps them “glue” onto the rocks
What is the scientific name of the blue mussel?
Mytilus edulis
What is the adaptation of the blue mussel?
It can morph into colors ranging from brown to blue to black depending on latitude.
What is the physical adaptation to temperature?
The ability of different sea snails to tolerate different temperature
What are the benefits of living on high intertidal zone?
avoiding predation and competition
What is the cost of living on high intertidal?
Feeding and breathing when submerged causes
- decrease in food and oxygen
-decreased growth and reproduction
What was visible in the graph depicting the size of adult mussels at Crystal Cove ?
-Low tide had the biggest mussels
-mid tide had medium-sized mussels
-high tide had the smallest mussels
List the typical zonation patterns from high to low tide.
Lichen zone, Barnacle zone, mussel zone, algae zone
What abiotic and biotic factors differ across the tide height gradient?
desiccation, heat stress, predation
How is the tide height gradient created?
- movement
- pre-settlement processes
- post-settlement processes
In what section do Balanus grow when alone?
middle intertidal zone
In what section do Chthamalus grow when ALONE?
middle to high intertidal zone
Where do Balanus grow when Chthalamus is present?
middle intertidal zone
Where do Chthalamus grow when Balanus is present?
high intertidal zone
What are the abiotic factors in the upper limit in rocky intertidal habitats?
heat, desiccation, and low O2
What are the biotic factors in the lower limit of rocky intertidal habitats?
competition and predation
What adaptations do mangroves and salt marshes have?
-exclude and excrete salt and low O2
-special tissues for gas exchange
-aerial roots, absorb moisture from the air
What are the abiotic factors in the lower limit of salt marshes and mangroves ?
salinity and waterlogging
What are the biotic factors in the upper limit of salt marshes and mangroves?
Competition
