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Rocky Inter Tidal Ecosystem
Rocky Inter Tidal Ecosystem
zone
I. Conditions
A. Wave
action
Effects of
wave
energy on
shoreline
grade and
material
Heavy wave action = steep grade
but shallow rocky grades can also
exist
I. Conditions
• A. Wave action
• B. Exposure to air
I. Conditions
• A. Wave action
• B. Exposure to air
I. Conditions
• A. Wave action
• B. Desiccation
• C. Firm substrate
II . Stress in rocky intertidal
habitats
• A. Desiccation
II . Stress
• A. Desiccation
– 1. Ways to reduce problems of
desiccation
II . Stress
• A. Desiccation
– 1. Ways to reduce problems of
desiccation
– 2. Oxygen depletion
Oxygen depletion in Fucus
II . Stress
• A. Desiccation
• B. High temperatures
– 1. Metabolism
SUPER invertebrates!
II . Stress
• A. Desiccation
• B. High temperatures
– 1. Metabolism
– 2. Avoiding high summer
temperatures
Surface temps without algal canopy
Surface temps with algal canopy
II . Stress
• A. Desiccation
• B. High temperatures
– 1. Metabolism
– 2. Avoiding high summer
temperatures
– 3. Thermal limits
II . Stress
• A. Desiccation
• B. High temperatures
– 4. Thermal stress and rocks
– 5. Thermal stress can alter
zonation patterns
impact of thermal stress on ‘predetermined’ zonation
II . Stress
• A. Desiccation
• B. High temperatures
• C. Low temperatures
– 1. Intertidal zones may be encased
in ice (brrrrr)
2. Freezing tolerance
II . Stress
• A. Desiccation
• B. High temperatures
• C. Low temperatures
– 1. Intertidal zones may be encased
in ice.
– 2. Freezing tolerance
– 3. Ice scour
II . Stress
• D. Wave stresses
– 1. Limitations placed on organisms
II . Stress
• D. Wave stresses
– 1. Limitations placed on organisms
– 2. Group effects
Tight packing = habitat amelioration
reduces chance of disturbance, but
clustering has the opposite effect.
II . Stress
• D. Wave stresses
– 1. Limitations placed on organisms
– 2. Group effects
– 3. Algal flexibility
II . Stress
• D. Wave stresses
– 4. Impact on algal
morphology/species
5. Splash zone
II . Stress
• D. Wave stresses
– 1. Limitations placed on organisms
– 2. Group effects
– 3. Algal flexibility
– 4. Impact on algal
morphology/species
– 5. Splash zone
III. Biotic factors shaping vertical
zonation
III. Biotic factors
• A. Low
consumer
density
– 1. Wave
exposed
III. Biotic factors
• A. Low
consumer
density
– 2. Protected
III. Biotic factors
• B. Larval recruitment
III. Biotic factors
• A. Low consumer density
• B. Larval recruitment
• C. Facilitation during succession
IV. Vertical zonation
Atlantic rocky intertidal zone Fig. 11.17
Pacific rocky intertidal zone Fig. 11.17
III. Vertical zonation
• A. Upper intertidal zone
III. Vertical zonation
• A. Upper intertidal zone
– 1. Upper region
2. Lower region of the Upper intertidal
zone Littorina zone
2. Lower region of the Upper intertidal
zone limpets
III. Vertical zonation
• A. Upper intertidal zone
• B. Middle intertidal zone
III. Vertical zonation
• B. Middle intertidal zone
– 1. Upper region
III. Vertical zonation
• B. Middle intertidal zone
– 1. Upper region
– 2. Middle region
III. Vertical zonation
• B. Middle intertidal zone
– 3. Lower region
III. Vertical zonation
• A. Upper intertidal zone
• B. Middle intertidal zone
• C. Subtidal zone
III. Vertical zonation
• A. Upper intertidal zone
• B. Middle intertidal zone
• C. Subtidal zone
– 1. Great diversity
III. Vertical zonation
• A. Upper intertidal zone
• B. Middle intertidal zone
• C. Subtidal zone
– 1. Great diversity
– 2. Algae
Lower intertidal zone
rich with algae, provides protective
cover
III. Vertical zonation
• A. Upper intertidal zone
• B. Middle intertidal zone
• C. Subtidal zone
– 1. Great diversity
– 2. Algae
– 3. Echinoderms
4. Zonation
IV. Tide pools
• A. Conditions
– 1. Temperature
– 2. Salinity
– 3. Dissolved oxygen
IV. Tide pools
• A. Conditions
– 1. Temperature
– 2. Salinity
– 3. Dissolved oxygen
• B. Size, depth, location
Small tide pool
Large tide pool
Tide pool
position
IV. Tide pools
• A. Conditions
• B. Size, depth, location
• C. Organisms
– 1. Diversity
– 2. Steno
– 3. Eury
IV. Tide pools
• A. Conditions
• B. Size, depth, location
• C. Organisms
• D. Trophic interactions
1. Keystone grazer/diversity
2. Intermediate disturbance/diversity
3.
Predator/refuge