Intertidal zone facts for kids
Intertidal zones are coastal areas, the space between high and low tides. They often have rock, sand or mud that is under water at high tide, and above water at low tide.
Rock pools are common on some shores. These areas is often home to many species of crabs, shellfish, shallow water fish and many other animals. Many environmental things affect these areas, for example, waves, sunlight, salinity, wind, and water tide. About 300,000 species have been found in the intertidal zone. These species have to tolerate the pounding of waves, the changes in temperature, and the drying out at low tide.
The most common organisms in the intertidal zone are small and relatively uncomplicated. This is for a variety of reasons; firstly the supply of water which marine organisms require to survive is intermittent. Secondly, the wave action around the shore can wash away or dislodge poorly suited or adapted organisms. Thirdly, because of the intertidal zone's high exposure to the sun the temperature range can be extreme from very hot to near freezing in frigid climates (with cold seas). Lastly, the salinity is much higher in the intertidal zone because salt water trapped in rock pools evaporates leaving behind salt deposits. These four factors make the intertidal zone an extreme environment in which to live.
High tide zone
The high tide zone is flooded during high tide only, and is a highly saline environment. The abundance of water is not high enough to sustain large amounts of vegetation, although some does survive. The predominant organisms in this subregion are sea anemones, barnacles, brittle stars, chitons, crabs, green algae, isopods, limpets, mussels, sea stars, snails, whelks and some marine vegetation. The high tide zone can also contain rock pools inhabited by small fish and larger seaweeds.
Middle tide zone
The middle tide zone has much higher population of marine vegetation, specifically seaweeds. Organisms are also more complex and often larger than those found in the high tide and splash zones. Organisms in this area include anemones, barnacles, chitons, crabs, green algae, isopods, limpets, mussels, sea lettuce, sea palms, sea stars, snails and sponges. Again rock pools can also provide a habitat for small fish, shrimps, krill, sea urchins and zooplankton. Apart from being more populated, life in the middle tide zone is more diverse.
Low tide zone
This sub-region is mostly submerged - it is only exposed at the point of low tide and for a longer period of time during extremely low tides. This area is teeming with life; the most notable difference with this sub-region to the others is that there is much more marine vegetation, especially seaweeds. There is also a great biodiversity. Organisms in this zone generally are not well adapted to periods of dryness and temperature extremes.
Images for kids
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Tide pools at Pillar Point showing zonation on the edge of the rock ledge
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A rock, seen at low tide, exhibiting typical intertidal zonation, Kalaloch, Washington, western United States.
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A California tide pool in the low tide zone
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Nutrition Pollution in Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland
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Mussels in the intertidal zone in Cornwall, England.
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A tidal pool in the intertidal zone during low tide, Sunrise-on-Sea, South Africa.
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Unexplained crumbs of sand that appear to have been deposited around stone by escaping air.
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Rocks in intertidal zone completely covered by mussels, at Bangchuidao Scenic Area, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China.
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See also
In Spanish: Zona intermareal para niños
