ecology

1. INTERTIDAL ECOLOGY
Name – Soumya Ranjan Gouda
Sl no - 002

2. INTRODUCTION
Intertidal ecology is the study of intertidal ecosystem where organism live
between the low and high tide lines.
At low tide the intertidal is exposed whereas at high tide the intertidal is under
water.
Intertidal ecologists therefore study the interactions between intertidal
organismsms and their environment as well as between different species of
intertidal organisms with ina particular intertidal community.
Intertidal regions are utilize by humans for food and recreation, but
anthropogenic actions also have major impacts, with overexploitation, invasive
species and climate change being among the problems faced by intertidal
communities.

3. Types of intertidal zone
 There are three types of intertidal zone
There are :
 High intertidal zone (upper mid littoral )
 Middle intertidal zone (lower mid littoral)
 Low intertidal zone (lower littoral )
High intertidal zone (upper mid
littoral )
 Floods during the peaks of daily high tides but remains dry for long
stretches between high tides.
 It is inhabited by hardy sea life that can withstand pounding waves such
as barnacles marine snails ,mussels,limpets ,shore crabs and hermit
crabs.

4. Middle intertidal zone (lower mid littoral zone )
Over which tides ebb and flow twice a day and which is inhibited by a greater
variety of both plants and animals incliding sea stars and anemones .
Low intertidal zone (lower
littoral)
 Virtually always underwater except during the lowest of spring tides.
 Life is more abundant there because of the protection provided by the
water .

6. Challenges in intertidal zone
The intertidal zone is home to a wide variety of organisms. Organisms in this zone
have many adaptations that allow them to survive in this challenging, ever-
changing environment.
Challenges in the intertidal zone are
Moisture
Waves
Salinity
Temperature
Moisture
There are usually two high tides and two low tides each day. Depending on the time of day, different
areas of the intertidal zone may be wet or dry. Organisms in this habitat must be able to adapt if
they are left “high and dry” when the tide goes out. Sea snails such as periwinkles have a trap door
called an operculum that they can close when they are out of the water to keep moisture in.

7. Waves
In some areas waves hit the intertidal zone with force and marine animals and
plants must be able to protect themselves. Kelp, a type of alge has a root-like
structure called a holdfast that it uses to attach to rocks or mussels, thus
keeping it in place.
Salinity
Depending on rainfall, the water in the intertidal zone may be more
or less salty and tide pool organisms must adapt to increases or
decreases in salt throughout the day

8. Temperature
As the tide goes out, tide pools and shallow areas in the intertidal
become more vulnerable to temperature changes that could occur from
increased sunlight or colder weather. Some tide pool animals hide under
plants in the tide pool to find shelter from the sun.
Threats
 Visitors: People are one of the biggest threats to the intertidal zone, as tide pools
are popular attractions. The cumulative impact of people exploring tide pools and
stepping on organisms and their habitat, and sometimes taking creatures has
resulted in a decrease in organisms in some areas.
 Coastal Development: Pollution and runoff from increased development can
damage tide pools through the introduction of contaminants.