EPS SCI 15 Lecture 13 Review

Intertidal zones reach from:

high tide to the low tide line

organisms living within tidal zones are exposed to:

harsh extrenes, i.e. salinity, temperature, physical forces

Communities in the rocky intertidal are organized into zones accoridng to their:

adaptation to the conditions in each zones

What are the intertidal zones?

spray zoone, upper intertidal, middles intertidal, lower intertidal and tide pools

Sandy beaches show different zones determined by:

wave action

What are the different zones of sandy beaches?

back beach, beach berm, beach face, wrack zone, and shore bars.

What are tidal mudflats?

coastal wetlands that form when mud is deposited by tides.

Who are mudflats the home to?

seagrass, clams and worms

What do organisms living in mudflats need to do?

nchor or burry themselves to the constantly shifting substrate.

Towards the inland, mudflats are often followed by?

salt marshes

Plants living in salt marshes are:

adapted to live in a saline environment.

What does plants’ presence in salt marshes support?

Trapping mud

Who are salt marshes a nursery/home/breeding grounds for?

Fish and birds

What is one of the most productive ecosystems on earth?

Kelp forests

How tall can some kelp grow in a day?

60cm

What are the 2 major types of kelp?

Macrocystis and Laminaria

Kelp consists of:

Holdfast, stipe, blades, and bladders

What is an example of a foundation species that provides a habitat for the community?

Kelp

What is an example of a keystone species that protect the ecosystem function by feeding on the environment’s consumer?

Sea otters

What is one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth?

Coral reefs

Where are coral reefs found?

about 30˚ north and south of the equator due to their temperature optimum, and only to a max. depth of 50 m due to their light requirement for their photosynthetic symbionts.

What does coral consist of?

colonies of small polyps embedded in calcium carbonate shells.

What does coral live in a symbiotic relationship with?

zooxanthellae, single-celled dinoflagellates.

Over time, what do coral organisms create?

massive reefs of different types (often consecutively):

fringing reef, barrier reef, atolls

What do coral reef food webs start with?

pelagic phytoplankton

What is pelagic phytoplankton consumed by?

zooplankton and corals

What value do coral reefs have?

A large economic value, they provide services for the fishing industry,

tourism, medicine, and costal protection.

What is coral bleaching?

the phenomenon when the algae symbiont leaves the stressed coral.

Without the symbiont, the coral can't survive very long and eventually dies.

What is a major cause of coral bleaching?

the rise in ocean temperature, but it can also be

triggered by pollution, strong exposure to sunlight or extreme low tides.