Download Adaptations of plants and algae in Rocky Shores

Where are they?
Plants and Algae in the
Rocky Shores
• Algae – sub-littoral zone
• Lichens – splash zone and upper part of
the littoral zone
• Flowering plants – back of the shore
Adaptation of Algae
• Dehydration
– protected by a film of mucilage on the
surface
• Strong wave
– thallus modified into holdfast to hold onto
substratum
– flexible joints that allow them to bend
– secrete calcium carbonate to make
themselves tough
Brown algae
Coralline algae
Ulva
Lichens
• It usually found on bare rock surfaces and
tree trunks surfaces
• It consist of a mutualistic association of an
alga and a fungus
Extremely
sensitive to
air pollution!
Halophytic adaptations of
Flowering plants
• The soil water is quite salty and water
absorption by root is relatively difficult.
Adaptations
• the cell sap accumulates a relatively high
concentration of salts to facilitate water
absorption
• store water for future use
Scaevola
Adaptations
• the leaves are usually protected by a thick
cuticle and the stomata are usually sunken
• have modified leaves to minimize the
surface area exposed to air
Elephant’s
ear
Horsetail Tree
Marine grass