(15)_Soft_sediment_intertidal

Soft Sediment

Unconsolidated sediments found in intertidal zones that can hold water and allow for organism burrowing.

Intertidal

The area of the shore that is exposed to air at low tide and submerged at high tide.

Sandy shores

Coastal areas characterized by sandy substrates; they provide differing habitats based on wave action and sediment size.

Wave action

The movement of water caused by wind or tides that can affect sediment composition and particle size on beaches.

Water retention

The ability of sediment to hold water, which affects the abundance of organisms; coarse sands drain well, while fine sands retain more water.

Meiofauna

Microscopic organisms that live in the spaces between sediment particles, important in marine ecosystems.

Zonation in exposed beaches

The layered arrangement of marine organisms in intertidal zones affected by tidal movements and environmental conditions.

Redox potential discontinuity (RPD)

A zone in sediments where there is a rapid change in chemical conditions, distinguishing aerobic and anaerobic zones.

Anaerobic conditions

An environment lacking oxygen, which can develop in muddy substrates and affects the types of organisms that can survive there.

Trophic structure

The feeding relationships and energy flow within an ecosystem, often characterized in mud flats by deposit and suspension feeders.

Adaptations of soft intertidal organisms

Morphological and behavioral traits that allow organisms to survive in dynamic intertidal environments, such as deeper burrowing and shell development.

Predation pressure

The influence of predators on the population and behavior of prey species within a community, affecting survival and biodiversity.

Burrowing

The action of digging into the sediment to create or occupy a habitat; essential for many intertidal organisms to avoid predation and desiccation.

Primary producers

Organisms, such as diatoms and seaweeds, that produce biomass from photosynthesis and form the base of the marine food web.

Detritus

Organic matter that has decomposed and serves as a food source for many organisms, particularly in mud and sand habitats.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural services.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem, crucial for resilience and ecological balance.

Thermal stratification

The layering of water in a water body due to differences in temperature, affecting oxygen levels and organism distribution.

Nutrient cycling

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter; essential for ecosystem health.

Salinity

The concentration of salt in water, which influences the types of organisms that can thrive in different aquatic environments.

Sediment transport

The process of eroding, moving, and depositing sediments by natural forces such as water, wind, or ice.

Bioturbation

The reworking of soils and sediments by animals or plants, significantly affecting sediment structure and nutrient distribution.

Marshlands

Wetland areas dominated by herbaceous plants, which play a crucial role in water filtration and providing wildlife habitat.

Estuaries

Coastal water bodies where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, supporting diverse ecosystems.

Coral reefs

Vibrant underwater ecosystems formed from coral polyps, providing habitat for many marine species and protecting coastlines.

Algal blooms

Rapid growth of algae in water bodies, often due to nutrient load, which can deplete oxygen and harm aquatic life.

Invasive species

Non-native organisms that spread widely in a new habitat, often disrupting local ecosystems and native species.

Tidal zones

Regions in the intertidal area that experience regular changes in water levels due to tidal actions, affecting habitat availability.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic plants drifting in the water column that form the base of aquatic food webs, crucial for carbon cycling and oxygen production.

Zooplankton

Tiny aquatic animals that feed on phytoplankton; they are an essential part of the aquatic food web.

Pollution biomagnification

The process by which the concentration of toxic substances increases in each successive level of the food chain.

Oxygen levels in marine environments

The amount of dissolved oxygen in water, essential for the survival of aerobic aquatic organisms.

Marine spatial planning

A process that guides where and when human activities occur in marine environments to reduce conflicts and optimize use.

Climate change impacts on marine ecosystems

Changes in ocean temperature, acidification, and sea level that affect marine biodiversity, species distribution, and ecosystem health.

Kelp forests

Underwater areas formed by dense growths of kelp, providing habitat for diverse marine life and enhancing coastal protection.