Coastal Ecosystems and Adaptations

This assignment delves into various coastal ecosystems like intertidal zones, salt marshes, and mangrove habitats. It examines the factors influencing species distribution and diversity within these environments. Students analyze the impact of wave exposure on rocky shores and explore the adaptations of plants and animals to cope with the demanding conditions in temperate salt marshes and tropical mangroves. The assignment also emphasizes understanding key ecological terms such as habitat, community, and biotope.

1) Outline how biological disturbance can affect the biodiversity of rocky shores
 Rocky shores have an abundance of marine habitats and biological disturbances within
its environment affects cliffs which host diverse species living in it
 The protected sites encounter disturbances from waves and the movement of
organisms, which causes loss of some species
 High disturbances affects productivity and high mortality rates
2) Explain how biological and physical disturbances affect the community composition and
biodiversity of rocky intertidal shores. Include example of experiments that have been
used to test the effects of disturbance on biodiversity
Ecosystem communities in rocky intertidal shores converge, and diversify in the midst of
disturbances. Species from the sandy shores mix with those from the muddy habitats to form
physical variations. Research by Veiga, et al., (2013) points out this variability in spatial
composition with the formation of patterns showing changes in assemblages.
3) Explain how biological processes might regulate the vertical distribution (zonation) of rocky
shore species. Incorporate examples of experiments that examined the influence of
biological processes on zonation.
When the distribution of species in the intertidal zonation occurs, dominant species appear in
distinct bands like the vertical zones (Bjelde & Todgham, 2013). This reveals patterns of group
species forming an upward pattern (Lehtomaki & Moilanen, 2013; Alfaro & Carpenter, 1999).
This interaction and spatial variation forms different models of vertical zonation defined by
periodic, emergency, and subsequent tides (Toonen, et al., 2013)
4) Describe the patterns of rocky shore communities along a horizontal gradient in wave
exposure, illustrated with diagrams [60%]. How would you investigate the processes that
limit the colonisation of algae on exposed shores? Include hypotheses and expected results
in your answer [40%].
Horizontal distribution shows different zones including the coastal, oceanic, continental, and
intertidal zones. Comprising of microbes, organisms, coral reefs, and microorganisms or
underground organic matter that exist within the water bodies. Placing the organisms under
harsh environment reveals the tolerance of such species to different environments (Karsten &
Holzinger, 2013). Therefore, the exposure to biotic and abiotic conditions has consequences in
rocky shore communities.

Figure 1: Aquatic microbiology depicted by horizontal stratification (Ritubiology, 2016)
This ocean stratification shows sediments, the ocean bed levels and temperatures as shown
below.
Figure 2: Ocean stratification with temperature changes (Ritubiology, 2016)
5) Use examples from experimental evidence to show how grazing affects rocky shore
community composition along a horizontal gradient in wave exposure.
Grazing affects the structure of the intertidal community and the interaction of the communities
(Underwood, 1980). It also has an effect on the upper limit depending on the biotic and abiotic
processes, which give rise to different conditions (Jernakoff & Underwood, 1981). This effect trickles
down to changes in the food availability, competition and productivity (White & Dye, 1991).
6) Explain how grazing, competition and predation might influence the vertical zonation of
rocky shore communities [50%]. Does the effect of grazing on zonation vary along a gradient
of wave exposure? Give reasons for your answer [50%].
Grazing changes the composition of the rocky shore communities; competition and predation
influence the distribution (McLachlan & Kilar, 1989). Dominant species in vertical zonation features

the dominant species that interact to form intertidal gradients with vertical zonation as the main
pattern of distribution for communities. This has consequences such as variations in the community
as species interact. Exposure to wavelength motion affects the distribution of species and its
different actions lead to the formation of different gradients over time (Ballesteros, et al., 2014).
7) Give an account of the organisms of mangrove communities, and how they cope with life
under physiologically demanding conditions.
The mangrove depends on the ecosystem, biological and physiological conditions to thrive.
Designed to survive in the harsh conditions, the mangrove is able to cope with harsh conditions.
Its ability to cope is due to its morphological or structural design and its physiological conditions
feature the biological chemical ability to cope with the saline soil conditions.
8) Describe the fauna and flora of Seagrass meadows & Saltmarshes and the ecological
processes operating within them.
The animal and plant properties of the Seagrass meadows Saltmarshes includes the structural
heterogeneity that represents productivity and a vast ecological process in the habitats. Its
network of activities include respiratory processes, an integrated management system of coastal
marine systems existing in oceanic biodiversity. This covers microbiological, botanical,
oceanography and zoology aspects.
9) Describe the terms infralittoral and circalittoral, compare and contrast these zones on a
temperate subtidal slope in exposed and sheltered conditions.
The infralittoral comprises of the coastal algal zones, which are photophilous, or sun loving while the
circalittoral covers the deeper zones, which are animal dominated and require less light. Separated
by the wave base, the two depict variations between the exposed and shade loving algae. The
temperature variations shows differences in habitat conditions in circulation, temperature
conditions and productivity.
10) Describe the structure of a coral atoll, and show how physical factors affect named
examples of species within each zone of the reefs.
Ring shaped atoll could be a coral reef, island or different islets. Surrounding a lagoon, it protects the
centre. Physical factors such as erosion, ocean waves and volcanic eruption contribute to the
formation and growth of the corals. It covers a small land area and may be oval or circular in design
with a lagoon, black reef, reef front.
11) How do disease outbreaks impact the marine environment?
Disease outbreaks come from thermal effects and may cause pollution when harmful residues
spread in the environment. The salinity calls for effective management and a high-density population
leads to spread of diseases in a rapidly growing ecosystem. Toxins from infected plants and animals
threaten the marine ecosystem. Disease outbreaks have an impact on the structure and functions of
the seagrass, turtles and corals (Maya, et al., 2016).
12) Discuss the term “trophic cascade” as it applies to the marine environment.

Tropic cascade is the suppression of the food web as interferences by the predators and human
activities in the terrestrial food chains occurs. This causes a reduction in the marine species. The
algae as the main producer in the marine community supplies food to multiple species including
insects, plants, microorganisms and animals in the chain
13) Describe the adaptations of fauna and flora enabling them to live in the physiologically
challenging environments of intertidal soft-sediment habitats.
The movement of the waves gives rise to low and high tides. Organisms interact with this intertidal
ecosystem-giving rise to changes in the temperature and moisture of the environment. The shading
by aquatic animals provides mechanism for managing extreme conditions for protecting the fauna
and flora. The management of the intertidal environment includes the mechanisms adopted by
organisms in different zones for coping with biotic and abiotic influencing factors.
14) Using named examples, describe how abiotic factors affect the distribution of communities
on either a tropical coral reef or a temperate subtidal rocky slope.
Abiotic factors include non-living activities such as sunlight, temperatures, high winds, and waves.
On a tropical coral reef, temperature influences climate change causing bleaching and chemical
changes. The coral reef habitat has organisms, which may also gain or lose when exposed to abiotic
factors. Temperature may limit the growth of organisms although sunlight supports their
improvement.
15) Identify the types of present day coral reefs and explain how they were formed.
Atolls came into existence from isolated reefs and marine organisms. These become large through
an evolution process of over thousands of years. When corals form, they settle in an oceanic island
forming fringing reef. There are small and large atolls with oceanic islands forming a fringing reef.
These come about because of the accumulation of animal and plant species. This leads to the
formation of corals Barrier reefs come from the algae and coral larvae.
16) Describe the structure of a coral atoll and show how physical factors affect species within
each zone of the associated reef.
The coral atoll has a distinct lasting structure that has pattern distribution formed from human and
natural effects. Different corals have diverse assemblages formed across years of transition. The
combination of biodiversity leads to the formation of lagoons and corals made of different species
from the marine world. These define the stone corals from algae, beach and shoal materials. Physical
factors cause disturbances leading to changes in distribution and composition of the corals
17) Explain, using named examples of species, how abiotic factors affect zonation of
communities on a sublittoral rock slope and a fringing coral reef.
Abiotic factors such as pollution, tides, pressure and soil salinity cause migration of species and
change. (Benqtsson & Berqlund, 1981). This contributes to the accumulation of species and
differences in processes. Harsh weather conditions and volcanic activities also affect the intensity of
the formation under multiple elements of a fringing reef. On a sublittoral rock slope, the zoning
process depends on the energy and reef support.
18) Explain, using examples where appropriate, each of the following terms: Subtidal,
Sublittoral, Infralittoral, Circalittoral, Habitat, Community, Biotope.

Subtidal, refers to the low tide zone or neritic zone that is below low tide and is often flooded by
tidal weather. Sublittoral shows a region that is close to the shore and where photosynthesis and
flooding occurs. Infralittoral hosts the seaweeds because of its low zone and it features between the
littoral and sublittoral areas. Circalittoral region is within the sublitheral and it stands out as an
uncountable zone where rocks and algae thrive. Split into the upper and lower, the zone has
different tides. Habitat is the area where organisms like snails and sea palms exist. This zone has high
levels of food production. It is an area of adaptation in the midst of harsh weather and it comes with
the community or groups and biotope for bacteria adaptation.
19) “Intertidal soft sediment shores support diverse communities of animals and plants”,
discuss this statement, illustrating your answer with examples from temperate and
tropical, exposed and sheltered shores.
Subtidal species like crabs, starfish and predators are in the soft sediment areas. These are intertidal
and support a mixture of animals and plants influenced by waves, tides, and zonation processes.
Biotic interactions in the tropical exposed zone include multiple sand and mud communities
comprising of ocean and sea species like the sea grass moved to the rocky shows.
20) Describe the adaptations that the fauna and flora have evolved to cope with life in the
physiologically demanding environments of (a) temperate salt marshes [50%] and (b)
tropical mangroves [50%].
The fauna and flora adaptation in the coastal salt marsh tidal region shows the ability to cope with
the seasonal patterns and fluctuating conditions in the temperate tides and harsh weather. Other
factors include the effects of the dominance by some plants and shrub species. It also experiences
intertidal zones and mashes within the salty areas.
21) Discuss the flora and fauna associated with mangrove habitats. Illustrate your answer
with examples of how the fauna and flora have evolved to cope with life in this
physiologically demanding environment
The shortage of species in one community may have an effect on another. The mangrove
biodiversity includes a biodiversity made up of invertebrates, mammal, and animal and plant
species. The mangrove tree hosts plants and animals at a level that is above the sea. This brings
changes to the physiological and abiotic environment depending on the availability of the species in
that region. The ability of the mangrove to grow in saline environments is evident in its swampy
locations with diversities in the terrestrial covers and different bird and animal species
22) Describe how wave exposure influences the distribution of algae and animals or rocky
intertidal shores. Use diagrams to illustrate
Wave exposure changes the richness of the species because its action removes the algae cover and
causes changes in the patterns and vertical distribution. By creating changes in the physical
distribution, it leads to reduction in the assemblages. Uneven formations affect the algae cover
exposing he species to predators. The diagrams below highlights this showing the littoral zones,
composition of the animals and zonation process.

Figure 3: Intertidal zonation (Anthoni, 2007)
Figure 4: Rocky intertidal environments (Koofers, 2013)
Figure 5: Vertical zonation (Macusi, 2013)