![]() We all may access this mysterious marine world with the curiosity and enthusiasm of life long learners. The organisms have adaptations to survive harsh conditions, favorite foods to consume, and intricate interactions with other organisms.Įvery marine organism has a story to tell about how it survives and the role it plays in the tide pool micro habitat. There is much more to learn than just the common names of the marine life a deeper knowledge may be gained by observing the life patterns and interactions that take place. Watch closely and the mysteries begin to be revealed.Įach visit to the edge of a tide pool is an adventure with changing conditions and interesting marine life species to be discovered. At first glance, the tide pool may seem placid and void of life, but with careful observation one may realize there is always activity in the magical realm of the intertidal zone. Fortunately, during the low tide events we are able to better observe these dramatic interactions and gain a greater awareness of the biodiversity living between the high and the low tide zones. Every individual tide pool acts as a micro habitat and each may have unique features based on type of rocky or sandy surface, water temperature, salinity, competition for space and access to food.Ĭountless ecological interactions are taking place in the tidal pools, regardless of our awareness. This impact of the physical environment is magnified even more in the context of the tide pool. Within the intertidal ecosystem, each tidal zone has conditions that challenge organisms, such as: temperature differences, varying light exposure, wave action, diversity in sediments, competition, predation and variations in salinity due to freshwater sources mixing with the marine water. The physical environment, along with the living organisms, creates intricate connections and interactions. No organism lives in isolation and interactions constantly take place within this intertidal community. The tide pool may temporarily sustain the correct amount of light, oxygen, nutrients, temperature, space and salinity that these organisms need to live.Įvery tide pool has a unique community or ecosystem of intertidal life. Many of the intertidal seaweeds and marine life depend on the shelter of the tide pools for survival, since they cannot endure the heat from the sun and exposure to air for long periods of time. The water in the rocky crevices and small pools enables the marine life to survive the low tide event until the higher tides return. A tide pool is created when a small amount of marine water is left on a shoreline or in rocky crevices when the tide recedes. ![]()
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