Rocky Shores

Micro habitat types - pools, cobbles, boulders, crevices, platforms

Challenging conditions: pounding waves, harsh sun, tides, wind, salt and rapid temperature changes

Variety of habitats types provide moisture, shelter, and hiding places.

Divided into three main zones: the lower littoral zone, the mid littoral zone and the upper littoral zone.

Rock pools
Depressions in the rock, retain water during low tide, creating isolated aquatic environments. These pools support diverse assemblages, including mobile species like crabs and sessile organisms such as barnacles and limpets.

Crevices and Cracks
Narrow gaps in the rock surface, often less than 30 cm wide, offer shelter from desiccation (drying out) and thermal stress. Species such as intertidal snails utilize these crevices to avoid wave action and predators.

Underneath Boulders
The undersides of large rocks provide shaded areas that help organisms avoid extreme temperature fluctuations and desiccation. This microhabitat is particularly important for species that are sensitive to environmental changes.

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Download the Rocky Shores handout.