Tide Pool Ecology

1. Tide Pool Ecology Objectives: Describe the ecology of a tide pool. Describe the abiotic and biotic factors affecting organisms living in a tide pool.

2. Ecology Terms 1. detritus • organic matter such as animal wastes and bits of decaying tissue 2. food chain • the steps of energy transfer from primary producers through consumers 3. food web • all of the interconnecting feeding relationships (chains) in a community

3. Tide Pools • found in the intertidal zone • part of the shore between the high and low tide marks. • form in depressions in rock when the tide recedes • Usually on a flatter bench

4. Organisms • Producers • Algae • phytoplankton • Consumers • sea cucumbers • urchins • small crustaceans (crabs and shrimp) • snails • eels • sculpin and other small fish • brittle stars • anemones • marine worms

5. What conditions might affect the organisms in the tidepools?

6. Abiotic factors • Temperature • fluctuates greatly throughout the day and year due to the sun's heat and changes in weather/seasons 2. Salinity • increases when water evaporates • decreases when freshwater rain and runoff enters pools

7. Biotic factors • competition for space (shelter from sun/heat in crevices/caves) • competition for food • ability to avoid predators

8. Tide Pool Food Web • Have at it! • Use 6 different organisms that you found in the tidepools and draw a food web. • Label: • Producers • Levels of consumers • Organism (common name and Phylum)