Oceancoastssupportplantandanimallife.pptVIP

Ocean coasts support plant and animal life. Section 4.1C Ocean waters contain many environments. Like the land, the ocean contains many different environments, each with its own special characteristics. Almost 95% of the ocean remains unexplored. Ocean organisms are organized into three groups according to the way they live. BOTTOM DWELLERS: algae, seaweeds, crabs, corals, starfish, and shellfish SWIMMERS: fish, dolphins, whales, and octopuses FLOATERS (float at or near the surface): jellyfish, plants, animals, bacteria, protists The shoreline supports many plants and animals. INTERTIDAL ZONE: the narrow ocean margin between the high tide mark and the low tide mark Conditions constantly change, so organisms must be able to survive both wet and dry periods and must withstand the force of crashing waves. Intertidal Zone – Low Tide At low tide, the intertidal zone is dry and exposed to direct sunlight Organisms must be able to live out of water They must also be able to tolerate the air temperature, which may differ from the temp. of the water. Intertidal Zone – High Tide At high tide, the intertidal zone is covered with water, so it is not exposed to direct sunlight. Organisms must be able to live completely underwater and tolerate the temperature of the water. Intertidal Zone – Tidal Pools Areas along the shore where water remains at low tide Plants and animals living here must survive drastic changes in salinity. When sunlight causes water to evaporate, salinity increases; when rain falls, the salinity decreases. Intertidal Zone Fresh water and salt water meet on coasts. Estuary – a shoreline area where fresh water from a river mixes with salt water from the ocean The water in estuaries is not as salty as ocean water, nor as fresh as river water. The salinity changes as the tide flows in and out. Estuaries Estuaries are bursting with life. Plants and animals thrive on nutrients washed in by rivers. Worms and shellfish live along the bottom; microscopic organi