Zonation (Marine) Flashcards
What organisms are found in the low-tide zone?
Kelp forests
Benthic invertebrates
What organisms are found in the mid-tide zone?
Anemones
Mussels
Hermit crabs
Saw Wrack
What organisms are found in the High-Tide zone?
Limpets
Barnacles
Spiral wrack
What organisms are found in the splash zone?
Limpets
Periwinkles
What areas consist of the intertidal zone?
High Tide and Mid Tide zones
What force causes the tides?
Combined gravitational force of the Sun and Moon
How often do spring tides occur?
Twice each lunar month year long
-Seasons do not have an effect on them
How do neap tides occur?
Occur twice a month
-Happen when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other
What stage is the moon at for spring tides to occur?
-Lunar Tide New moon
-Solar tide Full moon
State factors that effect slash zones
-High solar exposure
-High amount of time exposed to air
-High salinity variations
-High temperature variation
-Low competition
State the factors that effect the upper shore
-High solar exposure
-High amount of time exposed to air
-High salinity variations
-High temperature variations
-Medium competition
State the factors that effect the middle shore
-Less solar exposure
-Less time spent exposed to air
-Less variations in salinity
-Less variations in temperatures
-High competition
State the factors that effect the lower shore
-Lowest solar exposure
-Lowest time exposed to air
-Lowest variations in salinity
-Lowest variations in temperatures
-Very high competition
What effect does wave action have?
The greater the exposure to wave action, the further the zonal boundaries are pushed up shore
Describe capacity of algae to sustain photosynthesis in air
-Species on lower shore photosynthesize less well in air than underwater
-Species on mid to upper shore reach maximum photosynthesis after some degree of drying (adapted to being exposed)
What is the photosynthesis rate underwater?
6 x more underwater
Could be due to removal of surface water increases the rate of diffusion of Co2 into tissues
What is the typical zonation for for Atlantic Rocky shore?
Upper intertidal - Lichens, encrusting algae
Middle intertidal - Barnacles, Rockweed, mussels
Lower intertidal - Irish Moss
Extreme lower intertidal - kelps
What are biotic factors that cause zonation on rocky shores?
-Larval Settlement
-Competition
-Predation and grazing
-Adaptation
-Behavioural pattern, mobility
What are abiotic factors that cause zonation on rocky shores?
-Wave action and tidal range
-Desiccation
-Variable salinity
-Heat Stress
-Reduced feeding times
-Emersion times
-DO and gas exchange
What are some adaptations of intertidal organisms?
-Water loss
-Respiration
-Mechanical stresses
-Temperatures Salinity
-Reproduction
-Feeding
Describe water loss adaptations (intertidal)
-Burrowing
-Migrate
-Protective shell
-Secretes mucus
Describe respiration adaptations (intertidal)
Gills (reduced or protected from desiccation)
Describe mechanical stresses adaptations (intertidal)
Glue or attach themselves to substrate
-Aerodynamic shells
-Flexible stipes
Describe temperature adaptations (intertidal)
-Unique ridged shells
-Light coloured
-Burrowing
-Closed shells
-Shelter under seaweed
