![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Refuge for species that can’t take constant exposure to sun and air.Occur anywhere we have tides and hard substrates (like rocks).Areas that retain water under low tides.As we work down from high to low, we’ll see different species.” There’s a nice delineation of where critters and plants stay in their comfort zone. Conversely, in the lower intertidal zone you’ll see things that are more adapted to being underwater. “Buckshot barnacles and pyramid snails are adapted to the high intertidal splash zone and you won’t see them very often down lower. “Certain areas support certain creatures,” said Darren. Looking from the reflective pools of water to Darren, Bea asked him, “how does life interact in this area?” The plants and animals are really adapted to this high energy wave environment.” “Large unstable boulders are moving around with moving tides, big waves, and large storm events. “This is a very dynamic area,” said Darren. Low intertidal zone: Purple sea urchins, bat sea star, giant green anemones, corraline algae.Middle intertidal zone: Ochre star, mossy chiton, sea lettuce, goose barnacles.High intertidal zone: Ribbed limpets, acorn barnacles, periwinkle, small-shelled snails, pyramid snails, rock weed, lined shore crabs.Air bubbles snapped on the surface of the still pools of water, escaping up from filter feeders below. Water saturated with phytoplankton splashed through the rocks. Small crabs tapped along with their slender feet. Still and quiet, we listened to all the life in motion around us. “Stop for a second and listen,” Bea said as she found a secure boulder to stand on. So focused on my footing, I hardly noticed the details of the unique habitat we had just entered. My coworker Bea Kilat and I traced his path, carefully side-stepping tide pools and slick rocks. We followed National Park Service Aquatic Ecologist Darren Fong through a matrix of rocks along a shoreline in the Marin Headlands. Darren moved nimbly through the precariously balanced boulders in this intertidal zone of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |