Intertidal Zones and the Importance They Have to Marine Life
Lucrezia Meduri
University of the People
UNIV1001
I get asked the question, “Why did you decide to go with Marine Biology as a Major?” a lot. To answer that, I tell them three simple reasons: Science fascinates me, I adore marine life and everything about it, and I feel like I’m “home” when I am in a lab. With Marine Biology, there is SO much to learn, and so many areas to study; the opportunities are almost as endless as the ocean itself. One topic of Marine Biology that really interests me is Intertidal Zones. Also known as the foreshore, or, more commonly, the seashore, the Intertidal Zone plays an important role in the the study in Marine Biology, as it is the home to …show more content…
is the area that is above water at low tide, and under water at high tide. It can either be a narrow strip with a narrow tidal range, or many meters of shoreline high tidal excursion. Organisms that live in the Intertidal Zone are alternately exposed to air and being covered by water. Along with housing many different types of sea animals and fish, the I.Z. also has different types of habitats. The three major types are: Rocky shore, sandy beaches, and mud-flats. “These three habitats may be found on the edge of open ocean and bordering protected regions, such as harbors and estuaries.” (“Introduction”, …show more content…
One of those advantages is adaptability. Whether it is learning to close their shell tightly during low tide to avoid drying out, or learning to breathe both air AND water, marine life have become very adaptable over the many years of living in the Zone. Another advantage that can happen is the Zone being a type of nursery for fish. The biggest advantage of living in the Intertidal Zone is the abundance of food available, for both the marine life AND land animals(such as seagulls and other sea birds). While this abundance can be a blessing, it can also mean rapid reproduction. This can mean constant competition for space, light, and food (SeaWorld,
Lucrezia Meduri
University of the People
UNIV1001
I get asked the question, “Why did you decide to go with Marine Biology as a Major?” a lot. To answer that, I tell them three simple reasons: Science fascinates me, I adore marine life and everything about it, and I feel like I’m “home” when I am in a lab. With Marine Biology, there is SO much to learn, and so many areas to study; the opportunities are almost as endless as the ocean itself. One topic of Marine Biology that really interests me is Intertidal Zones. Also known as the foreshore, or, more commonly, the seashore, the Intertidal Zone plays an important role in the the study in Marine Biology, as it is the home to …show more content…
is the area that is above water at low tide, and under water at high tide. It can either be a narrow strip with a narrow tidal range, or many meters of shoreline high tidal excursion. Organisms that live in the Intertidal Zone are alternately exposed to air and being covered by water. Along with housing many different types of sea animals and fish, the I.Z. also has different types of habitats. The three major types are: Rocky shore, sandy beaches, and mud-flats. “These three habitats may be found on the edge of open ocean and bordering protected regions, such as harbors and estuaries.” (“Introduction”, …show more content…
One of those advantages is adaptability. Whether it is learning to close their shell tightly during low tide to avoid drying out, or learning to breathe both air AND water, marine life have become very adaptable over the many years of living in the Zone. Another advantage that can happen is the Zone being a type of nursery for fish. The biggest advantage of living in the Intertidal Zone is the abundance of food available, for both the marine life AND land animals(such as seagulls and other sea birds). While this abundance can be a blessing, it can also mean rapid reproduction. This can mean constant competition for space, light, and food (SeaWorld,