With 71% percent of the whole world being covered in water, it is no wonder that we as humans have a fascination with the Earth’s oceans and its tides. In fact, it’s even worthwhile to invest in knowledge of the causes and effects of tides and currents in regard to the planet we inhabit. First, we shall examine the causes of tides and currents and then explore the effects of those tides and currents on various subjects of interest.
At first glance, tides appear simple, but the complexity of them perplexed great scientific thinkers to extent of Galileo proposing a false theory. He theorized that the tides were controlled by the earth’s daily and annual revolutions , proposing that parts of the earth moved faster than others causing the earth’s …show more content…
Tides and currents carry nutrients, moderate temperatures, and influence conditions in numerous ecosystems. Three major types of ecosystems influenced and affected by tides and currents are estuaries, intertidal zones and coral reefs. Estuaries are formed and found where bodies of water meet the sea, mixing freshwater with saltwater. Composed of this mixture of water, called brackish water, estuaries are home to many unique animals and plants who have adapted to survive in this type of water. Estuaries are extremely productive ecosystems partly owing to being protected from severe ocean conditions. Although protected from harsh conditions, this ecosystem depends on currents to cycle nutrients and provide transportation for organisms. Tributary streams, longshore currents and tidal fluctuations create the necessary currents needed to transport shellfish, eels and turtles in various stages of their life cycles. In addition to all of these functions, estuaries also serve as a place for various animals to nest, breed and find …show more content…
A high volume of nutrients is supplied from the sea by tides on a regular basis, helping the adaptive species to continue to thrive. The various organisms that live in intertidal zones have had to adapt to harsh and extreme changes within their habitat, these organisms include, shorebirds, marsh grasses, kelp, shrimp and fish (when water is present), snails, mussels and oysters, and burrowing worms. Coral reefs are another ecosystem effected by tides and currents within the ocean. They often form in warm, shallow sea waters and rise to or near the surface. Formed from mounds or ridges of living coral, coral skeletons, and calcium carbonate deposits from other organisms such as calcareous algae, mollusks, and protozoa, coral reefs have often been referred to as rainforests of the sea. Coral needs specific, favorable tides to grow and does not typically form where the tide could go low enough to expose the coral to
At first glance, tides appear simple, but the complexity of them perplexed great scientific thinkers to extent of Galileo proposing a false theory. He theorized that the tides were controlled by the earth’s daily and annual revolutions , proposing that parts of the earth moved faster than others causing the earth’s …show more content…
Tides and currents carry nutrients, moderate temperatures, and influence conditions in numerous ecosystems. Three major types of ecosystems influenced and affected by tides and currents are estuaries, intertidal zones and coral reefs. Estuaries are formed and found where bodies of water meet the sea, mixing freshwater with saltwater. Composed of this mixture of water, called brackish water, estuaries are home to many unique animals and plants who have adapted to survive in this type of water. Estuaries are extremely productive ecosystems partly owing to being protected from severe ocean conditions. Although protected from harsh conditions, this ecosystem depends on currents to cycle nutrients and provide transportation for organisms. Tributary streams, longshore currents and tidal fluctuations create the necessary currents needed to transport shellfish, eels and turtles in various stages of their life cycles. In addition to all of these functions, estuaries also serve as a place for various animals to nest, breed and find …show more content…
A high volume of nutrients is supplied from the sea by tides on a regular basis, helping the adaptive species to continue to thrive. The various organisms that live in intertidal zones have had to adapt to harsh and extreme changes within their habitat, these organisms include, shorebirds, marsh grasses, kelp, shrimp and fish (when water is present), snails, mussels and oysters, and burrowing worms. Coral reefs are another ecosystem effected by tides and currents within the ocean. They often form in warm, shallow sea waters and rise to or near the surface. Formed from mounds or ridges of living coral, coral skeletons, and calcium carbonate deposits from other organisms such as calcareous algae, mollusks, and protozoa, coral reefs have often been referred to as rainforests of the sea. Coral needs specific, favorable tides to grow and does not typically form where the tide could go low enough to expose the coral to