Life on rocky shores: a challenging ecosystem
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22201/ceide.16076079e.2026.27.2.7Keywords:
Intertidal rocky shore, animal diversity, marine ecosystem, tides, ecological interactionsAbstract
Intertidal environments form a boundary between land and sea. Here environmental conditions vary widely due to the tidal cycle, which alternates periods of immersion and exposure to air. These environments are organized into three main zones. The upper intertidal is the highest zone and is covered only during high tides. Organisms there face desiccation, heat, and solar radiation; periwinkle snails, which survive by sealing themselves inside their shells, often mark the limits of this zone. The mid-intertidal alternates between being submerged and exposed. In this zone, tide pools form and act as refuges for fish, crabs, sea stars, and mollusks, where intense interactions such as competition and predation occur. The lower intertidal remains submerged most of the time. Here, wave action is strong and many organisms have adaptations that allow them to attach firmly to the rock. Rocky intertidal ecosystems support high biodiversity but face increasing human and climatic threats. Join us to learn all about these fascinating ecosystems.
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