Tide Pool Ecology

Objectives:1. Describe the ecology of a tide pool.2. Describe the abiotic and biotic factors affecting

organisms living in a tide pool.

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

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

Organisms1. Producers

– Algae– phytoplankton

2. Consumers– sea cucumbers – urchins– small crustaceans (crabs and shrimp) – snails– eels – sculpin and other small fish– brittle stars– anemones – marine worms

What conditions might affect the organisms in the tidepools?

Abiotic factors

1. 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

Biotic factors

1. competition for space (shelter from sun/heat in crevices/caves)

2. competition for food3. ability to avoid predators

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)