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Rocky Intertidal Zone

Rocky Intertidal Zone. General Characteristics. Steep coasts without large amounts of sediment West coast of US Active margin Uplift Northeast Coast of US & Canada Ice sheets scraped sediment from the shelf. Conditions. Plenty of food Shallow water = lots of light Nutrients

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Rocky Intertidal Zone

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  1. Rocky Intertidal Zone

  2. General Characteristics • Steep coasts without large amounts of sediment • West coast of US • Active margin • Uplift • Northeast Coast of US & Canada • Ice sheets scraped sediment from the shelf

  3. Conditions • Plenty of food • Shallow water = lots of light • Nutrients • Detritus • Brought in by waves & tides • Most important food source in many communities

  4. Organisms in Rocky Intertidal • Mainly epifauna • Adaptations for attachment: • Byssal threads • Holdfasts • Tube feet • Cement

  5. Barnacles

  6. Periwinkles

  7. Sea Star

  8. SeaAnemones Lobsters Sea Urchin Mussels

  9. Palm Seaweed

  10. Rocky Coast Communities • West coast of US has more mature communities • Less seasonal changes • Main limiting factor is predation • East coast is less mature • Seasonal population changes • Main limiting factor is climate

  11. Competition for Space • Sessile organisms need place to attach • Space is limited • Ways to outcompete other species • Large # larva • Loosen competition from rock • Grow over competitors

  12. Ecological Succession

  13. Vertical Zonation • In rocky intertidal, species not found throughout; rather in a particular range • Distinct bands of organisms at characteristic height in intertidal • Upper limit usu. determined by physical factors • Lower limit determined by biological factors – predation, competition

  14. Keystone Predator

  15. STARFISH FEEDING ON MUSSEL BED

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