Aquatic ecology and Biodiversity

Unit 11- Intertidal zone

11.2.1. Physical characteristics
•Bedrock: resistant bedrock, such as granite, slate and quartzite, erodes slowly and produces steep gradients
•Wave action: exposure to wave action, related to dominant wind direction, storms, controls plant and animal attachment.
•Tidal regime: tide range determines the area of shore exposed to the air.
•Climatic conditions: weather conditions include summer and winter temperature extremes, humidity, precipitation and wind exposure.

Environmental problems
• Animals encounter wide fluctuations in temperature and salinity
• Rainfall and land run off lower the salinity
• Animals exposed to heavy wave action and current motion
• Desiccation during low tide