The intertidal zone represents one of the most stressful environments in terms of changing environmental conditions. Explain this comment using specific examples of stresses and how organisms are able to survive in the intertidal zone


First, organisms must deal with changing water levels between low and high tide. They must also withstand the force of crashing waves. Freshwater runoff and rainfall can cause osmotic shock to organisms adapted to saltwater. In sand or cobble beaches, movement of the sand grains and cobbles creates even more problems. Rolling sand is abrasive to small organisms, and capillary forces can trap small organisms between the grains. The motion of cobbles battered by waves and trap and crush organisms between them.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

You might also like to view...

What happened to your map?

Sometimes it is useful to make a layer transparent so that the basemap (in this case the imagery) can be seen below the layer. Click on the ellipses below the USA Earthquake Risk layer name and select “Transparency.” Set transparency to 50%.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Polar ice caps existed through most of the Cambrian

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Magma that solidifies below the Earth's surface produces what igneous rocks

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Which of the following substances contains F- ions?

A) PF3 B) F2 C) CF4 D) CaF2 E) all of the above

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences