Abstract: Rocky intertidal zone is defined by the tides and the presence of hard surfaces but the types of organisms, the number of species, and the distribution and abundance of individual species found in particular communities depend on the physical aspects of shores, the supply of resources, food and larvae from overlying water, the biological interactions among the species present, and the regional pool of species. These communities are supported by both algal primary production and attached suspension feeders such as barnacles and mussels that trap planktonic organisms and link the ocean's productivity to the shore. Both invertebrate and vertebrate consumers are common and have significant impacts on community structure. While rocky intertidal shores often display a marked vertical zonation of fauna and flora associated with the rise and fall of the tides, various physical factors and biological factors can lead to complex patterns of distribution and abundance. The rocky intertidal zone has been an active area of research because the communities are often well defined and the common organisms, which tend to be small and slow moving or attached, are easily manipulated. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the role of larval supply and large-scale oceanographic conditions on community composition.
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Date: 2008-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 5
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