If you have ever been at the beach, then you know about the intertidal zone. The region becomes exposed once the waters recede inwards during the low tide. Walk to any coast during the middle of the day and examine the tidal pools. They are often filled with small fishes, algae, crustaceans, and octopuses. These animals seek refuge and shelter in this safe spaces. This article is basically about the factors determining the population of particular rock pools. It also aims to make a case for increased conservation efforts to safeguard and protect this important features.
There are two types of tidal pools. The deep and the shallow tidal pools. Each class has its own dynamics. The creatures that thrive in each subset of pools is uniquely different from the counterpart. Asides the depth, the size is also an important factor. The larger the hole, the more animals it can support. The bigger pools are better protected from the direct waves.
Octopuses are among the heavyweights in categories of animals found on the seashores. The tentacles of the octopuses grow very fast and as such it is imperative for the animal to find a suitable space capable of accommodating it even when it reaches maturity. The same case can be said of starfish, the regular fish and the slugs as well.
Most creatures utilize the large ponds on the coast as a temporary shelter. They live there during the days, and once the water returns at night, they wonder off to the deep sea to search for food. Surprisingly, the fish can retrace their steps and return to their original pool. Scientists have discovered that many fish actually live in one tidal pool for the rest of their lives.
Another factor that is ever shifting is the salt content of the water. Rainwater and river water has a way of lowering the salinity of the tidal waters. Some organisms cannot survive in the fresh water, and they depend on the returning of salty water for their continued survival. The more sand and mud that comes into a particular zone, the fewer the creatures that can survive and vice versa.
Oxygen is an essential component of life. But, so too is carbon dioxide. The presence of both plants and animals inside this pools makes it possible for the interchange of vital gas back and forth. During the daytime, photosynthesis takes place in the algae and the other plant-like organisms, and this ends up releasing oxygen. At night the trend is reversed.
The intertidal zone is heavily impacted by human activity. The more people move along the beach during the low tide, the more harm and damage they cause to the delicate microorganisms found on the adjacent grounds. Their presence and movements also interfere with the normal life of the creatures like the fish and the octopus. Instead, on them focusing on hunting, they look for places to hide from the humans.
Pollution is one of the biggest dangers to the life in the intertidal zone. Dirty water and physical garbage and litter find their way to the area. They settle in the shallow and the deep pools, and the animals have to move out elsewhere. That ends up upsetting the delicate balance and it ought to be avoided and curtailed at all costs.
There are two types of tidal pools. The deep and the shallow tidal pools. Each class has its own dynamics. The creatures that thrive in each subset of pools is uniquely different from the counterpart. Asides the depth, the size is also an important factor. The larger the hole, the more animals it can support. The bigger pools are better protected from the direct waves.
Octopuses are among the heavyweights in categories of animals found on the seashores. The tentacles of the octopuses grow very fast and as such it is imperative for the animal to find a suitable space capable of accommodating it even when it reaches maturity. The same case can be said of starfish, the regular fish and the slugs as well.
Most creatures utilize the large ponds on the coast as a temporary shelter. They live there during the days, and once the water returns at night, they wonder off to the deep sea to search for food. Surprisingly, the fish can retrace their steps and return to their original pool. Scientists have discovered that many fish actually live in one tidal pool for the rest of their lives.
Another factor that is ever shifting is the salt content of the water. Rainwater and river water has a way of lowering the salinity of the tidal waters. Some organisms cannot survive in the fresh water, and they depend on the returning of salty water for their continued survival. The more sand and mud that comes into a particular zone, the fewer the creatures that can survive and vice versa.
Oxygen is an essential component of life. But, so too is carbon dioxide. The presence of both plants and animals inside this pools makes it possible for the interchange of vital gas back and forth. During the daytime, photosynthesis takes place in the algae and the other plant-like organisms, and this ends up releasing oxygen. At night the trend is reversed.
The intertidal zone is heavily impacted by human activity. The more people move along the beach during the low tide, the more harm and damage they cause to the delicate microorganisms found on the adjacent grounds. Their presence and movements also interfere with the normal life of the creatures like the fish and the octopus. Instead, on them focusing on hunting, they look for places to hide from the humans.
Pollution is one of the biggest dangers to the life in the intertidal zone. Dirty water and physical garbage and litter find their way to the area. They settle in the shallow and the deep pools, and the animals have to move out elsewhere. That ends up upsetting the delicate balance and it ought to be avoided and curtailed at all costs.
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