University:
Michigan State University
Course:
GEO 206 | Physical Geography
Academic year:

2021
Views:

333

Pages:

2
Author:

Lily Callahan

Intertidal Zones The intertidal zone ecosytem is generally broken down into 4 areas. The Spray Zone (or Supratidal Zone -- above the tide zone): This zone is high up on the beach above where even the high tide reaches. But it does get sprayed by big waves and flooded during storms and unusually high tides. Not much wildlife or plant life survives here. It is like a desert. You can sometimes find some small barnacles and marine lichen. The High Tide Zone (or Upper Mid-littoral Zone): This zone is underwater only when the tide is high. It is a very salty area, as small pools are left when the tide goes out and they evaporate leaving the salt to collect. You can find sea anemones, crabs, starfish, snails, limpets, barnacles and mussels. The Middle Tide Zone (or Lower Mid-littoral Zone): This zone spends half its time under water and half its time in the open air. This zone gets the fiercest wave action. This is where you start to see seaweed. Wildlife in the middle tide zone includes: sea anemones, crabs, starfish, snails, limpets, barnacles, mussels, sponges, shrimp, chitons, sea urchins and green algae. The Low Tide Zone (or Lower Littoral Zone): This zone is mostly underwater. It gets dry only for a short time during low tide. There are tons of wildlife in this zone. You can find lots of seaweeds, sea anemones, crabs, starfish, snails, limpets, barnacles, mussels, sponges, shrimp, chitons, sea urchins, abalone, sea slugs, sea cucumbers and green algae.