Download Protecting Terranea`s Tide Line

Protecting Terranea’s Tide Line
Purple Sea Urchin,
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Jackknife Clam,
Tagelus californianus
Between the Tides
Terranea’s coastline provides a rocky haven
for many marine animals that only thrive in this ever changing tidal environment. A visit
to our tide pools is your chance to take a curious glimpse into the ocean. This is a habitat
that includes algae (“seaweeds”) and a kaleidoscope of marine invertebrates. That means
strange critters without vertebral columns like sea slugs, anemones, seastars and shell-
Dungeness Crab,
Cancer magister
fish. They are all so uniquely designed and so critical to the life in our coastal waters.
Pounded by surf, revealed at times to the sun,
submerged again in salt water, such is life in the Tidal Zone. This special home, to a colorful
medley of marine life, reveals itself daily as the tide slips below 1.0 feet. In case you wondered,
here in California we experience two high tides and two low tides, which are referred to as
diurnal tide. Tide height itself is governed by the gravitational forces exerted upon the ocean
by the sun and the moon. Although the sun is much larger than the moon, the moon is much
closer to the earth and therefore exerts a larger influence over our tides.
Sunflower Star,
Pycnopodia helianthoides
A Wet Web!
California Pacific Coast Kelp,
Macrocystis pyrifera
Food webs describe the shifting of food energy from organism to
organism. An example of a marine food web connection might begin
with phytoplankton, the microscopic algae drifting in ocean waters.
Phytoplankton and seaweed form the base of the ocean’s food web
because they do not feed on marine wildlife. They use the sun’s energy
to make food energy in a process called photosynthesis.
Get covered by Kelp!
During low tides a variety of creatures rely on the shade and moisture provided by blades of living
seaweed. The collapsed blades become thick underwater forests as the water returns. These aquatic
forests act as nurseries for some fish species and food for others.
The rocks provide the anchor that this ocean algae needs to hold onto for the tidal ride. They do not
have roots like land plants for penetrating soft ground, but instead are designed to be cemented
to hard surfaces. While plants on land obtain nutrients from the soil, seaweeds get nutrients from
surfaces in contact with seawater.
Filter it First!
Filter Feeders belong to another level of the marine food web and they
include bivalves (two shells) like the California Mussel who filters the
small particles of plankton and decomposing matter known as detritus
from the water.
Other members of the web get their food in a variety of ways. Grazers,
such as limpets, chitons and turban snails methodically mow the algae
and diatoms off the rocks. Giant Sea Anemones have special stinging
cells that stun their prey while sea stars send their stomachs out to
feed on mussels right in the shell. Scavengers like shore crabs simply
pick up the leftover bits and pieces.
Look, But Don’t Touch!
T hese delicate web connections are numerous and most are very
fragile. When viewing tide pools step in bare spaces free of seaweed
and animals. Give birds and sea mammals, such as seals plenty of
space, as they can be easily disturbed, potentially leaving their young
to fend for themselves.
Rockweed,
Fucus gardneri
Green Anemone,
Anthropluera xanthogrammica
Black TurbanSnail,
Tegula sp.
Buller’s Shearwater,
Puffinus bulleri
Heed to safety as you journey to the tide pools, you are entering an
ever changing environment. Watch for slippery steps, tread lightly and
pay attention to tidal flow and incoming waves. Photograph, sketch or
ponder, but please do not disturb these protected plants and animals
on the edge!
H
T
SOU
E
RD
S VE
PALO
E R FI E
FLOW
Discovery
Trails
IVE
S DR
AN OCEANSIDE
WALKING
EXPERIENCE…
AIL
LD TR
1. Lady Of The Light
2. It’s So Diatomaceous
3. Live Forever
4. Explore The Ocean Floor
5. Search For The Spout
6. One And The Same
GOLF COURSE
Enjoy, photograph, paint and
play, but do not remove
anything from land and sea.
Local laws and ordinances
are observed.
Habitat Area
FF
TO
P
INE
REL
O
SH ESS
ACC
TRA
IL
BLU
FF
TO
P
TR
AIL
BLU
VANDERLIP
LINK
100 Terranea Way
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Resort 310.265.2800 Fax 310.265.2700
www.terranea.com
For Terranea Resort Reservations and Information, please contact your Travel Professional. For GDS Reservations, please use the Destination Hotels & Resorts Chain Code “DN” – Thank you!
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Please remain on the
designated trails and
respect the habitat areas.
Golf COurse
When enjoying the
Discovery Trail, please
be careful not to enter
onto the golf course,
both for your own safety
and for the benefit of our
golfing guests.
INTERPRETIVE AREA
WALKING PATH
PUBLIC TRAIL
BIKE RACK
PARKING
BLUFF TOP PARK
Doggie Resting Spot