Friday 10 June 2016

Life in a tide pool


Life in a tide pool is challenging, but this doesn't prevent a whole diversity of hardy plants and animals from surviving and even thriving in this tough environment. As the tide retreats, intertidal denizens must be able to withstand exposure to air. Depressions in the rock become pools of water, providing refuges for resident anemones, sea stars, mussels, crabs, snails, algae and the occasional small fish. As the tide rises, these same creatures must cling on as the waves wash over them. Resilience is key to survival in the tide pool.