Download Marine Ecology

Subtidal Community
Soft Bottom
SAV (eelgrass)
Figure 10.22
Subtidal Zone
• The part of the continental shelf that is
always covered by water
– from the low tide mark to the shelf break (150m
or 490 ft)
Subtidal Zone
• Temperature varies from place to place due
to its shallowness
• Bottom still affected by waves, tides and
currents
• Very productive areas – nutrients & light
Subtidal Zone
• Soft Bottom Communites
– Seagrass Beds (NOW)
• Hard Bottom Communites
– Kelp Forests (previously viewed)
Seagrass Beds
• Develop in sheltered shallow water
• Most species prefer warm waters
– Turtle Grass
• Some are found in colder areas
– Eelgrass (Zostera marina) our local species
Figure 13.17
Ecological Targets
Hard Clams
Seagrass Meadows
Seagrass Beds
• Slow down currents
• Increase the depositing of sediments
• Have roots - can absorb nutrients from the
sediment
Seagrass Beds
• Important nursery for juvenile animals
– Bay scallop on Long Island
Fig. 13.18
Figure 13.16
Generalized food web in a seagrass community
…go to…
• SAV ppt
• SAV/Fire Island ppt
• SAV/Global Climate Change ppt