Download High Intertidal Zone Mid Intertidal Zone Low Intertidal zone Shallow

Basic Ecological Concepts and Terms
• habitat
• ecosystem engineers and foundation species
• facilitation
• predation refuge
• community
• ecosystem
• types of species interactions:
uni- or bi directional
neutral, positive, or negative
strong or weak
Slide 2.1 Basic Ecological Concepts and Terms
Session 2: Rocky Shores
Coastal Hazards Management Course
The Physical Setting of Rocky Shore Habitats
• Global distribution and geology of rocky shore habitats
• Rocky shores are intertidal habitats
•What are tides and what role do they play in shaping intertidal
communities?
• Waves can be important forces structuring the abundance, zonation, and
diversity of intertidal species
• Intertidal organisms have evolved adaptations to cope with this stress:
•Flexibility
•Group living
•Flattened and small bodies
Slide 2.2 The Physical Setting of Rocky Shores
Session 2: Rocky Shores
Coastal Hazards Management Course
Inhabitants of rocky shore habitats
• Primary producers
macro algae, phytoplankton, encrusting algae
• Herbivores
snails, chitons, limpets, urchins
•Filter feeders
mussels, barnacles, bryozoans
• Predators
sea stars, snails, lobsters, crabs, fish, sea birds, anemones
Slide 2.3 Inhabitants of Rocky Shore Habitats
Session 2: Rocky Shores
Coastal Hazards Management Course
Rocky Shore Community Zonation
High Intertidal Zone
Mid Intertidal Zone
Low Intertidal zone
Shallow Subtidal Zone
Slide 2.4 Rocky Shore zonation
Session 2: Rocky Shores
Coastal Hazards Management Course
Rocky Shore Community Zonation
mussels (mid
intertidal zone)
Slide 2.5 Rocky Shore zonation
A rocky intertidal habitat in
northwestern Washington
(Courtesy: Mary O’Connor)
barnacles (high
intertidal zone)
Session 2: Rocky Shores
Coastal Hazards Management Course
Rocky Shore Community Zonation
A rocky intertidal habitat in
northwestern Washington
(Courtesy: Mary O’Connor)
Slide 2.6 Rocky Shore zonation
Session 2: Rocky Shores
Coastal Hazards Management Course
Rocky Shore Community Zonation
algae
mussels
Slide 2.7Rocky Shore zonation
A rocky intertidal habitat in
northwestern Washington
(Courtesy: Mary O’Connor)
Session 2: Rocky Shores
Coastal Hazards Management Course
Effects of Oil spills on Rocky Shore Communities
The Exxon Valdez oil spill case study
http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/spotlight/spotlight.html
http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/
• released 42 million liters of crude oil into Prince William Sounds, AK
• contaminated 2000 km of pristine shoreline
• short and effects on the ecosystem and economy
• long term effects: 15 years later
Slide 2.8 Effects of oil spills on rocky shore communities
Session 2: Rocky Shores
Coastal Hazards Management Course