Lesson 3 - Rocky Shore Zonation

Question 1

Subtidal Zone

Answer 1

The subtidal zone is the region below the intertidal zone and is continuously covered by water. This zone is much more stable than the intertidal zone. Temperature, water pressure and sunlight radiation remain nearly constant. Organisms do not dry out as often as organisms higher on the beach.

Question 2

High Tide Zone

Answer 2

Abiotic:
- Increased exposure to air (threat of desiccation)
- Higher, more variable temperatures and salinity
- Lower amounts of food, nutrients, and oxygen

Biotic:
- Lower amounts of competition from other species
- Lower amounts of predation (not many other organisms live here)

Question 3

Mid Tide Zone

Answer 3

Faces the issues of both high tide and low tide zones HOWEVER, faces them for a shorter period of time.

Question 4

Low Tide Zone

Answer 4

Abiotic:
- Reduced exposure to air
- Lower, more constant temperatures and salinity
- Higher amounts of food nutrients, and oxygen

Biotic:
- Increased chance of being eaten by marine predators
- Higher amounts of competition from other species (many other organisms live here)

Question 5

Zonation

Answer 5

Where an environment or landscape is characterised by distinct zones. The zones are characterised by the distribution of species based on their interaction with abiotic and biotic factors.

The zones are patterns of distribution

Question 6

LTZ vs HTZ

Answer 6

LTZ
- Abiotic conditions are best
- Most competitive organisms are found

HTZ
- Abiotic conditions are the worst (e.g. increased temperature, increased aerial exposure)
- Most tolerant organisms are found (can withstand/are adapted to extreme abiotic factors)