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Tidal Pool

© Patrice Bentham

What is a tidal pool? Tidal Pool Exploration, http://www.ifdn.com/unique/inp/activity.... , provides a definition. Simply put it is a depression on the shore which retains water after the tide goes out. It is also called the intertidal zone. Why are these pools of water of interest? The depression can become a haven for a number of interesting plants and creatures once the tide goes out. The web site pictures a few creatures and plants (periwinkle, hermit crab, sea anemone, and seaweed) that you might encounter during an exploration of a tidal pool.

To learn more about the intertidal zone or littoral zone, click over to Intertidal Zone Animals, http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subject... . Here we learn that these complex marine ecosystems (for a definition of ecosystem visit http://members.edventures.com/terms/e/ec... or http://www.cnie.org/nle/biodv-6.html ) are found on coastlines worldwide. The intertidal zone can be further divided into four zones - the spray zone, high tide zone, middle tide zone and low tide zone each with their own selection of creatures. What is it like to live in the region between high and low tide? The site states that it is an inhospitable environment with immense daily changes in moisture, salinity, temperature and turbulence. Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre's Intertidal Zone, http://www.vanaqua.org/shock/intro.htm , hosts a Macromedia flash game which allows you to place tidal pool animals in their appropriate zone.

Algae, The Forgotten Treasure of Tidal Pools, http://www.sonoma.edu/biology/algae/alga... , is a great place to visit. This site honours algae or seaweed with pictures and descriptions of various slimy stuff found in and around tidal pools.

How about taking a virtual tour of the various zones? Great! Start our interactive tour at Tidal Pool Page, http://web.mit.edu/corrina/tpool/intro.h... , which allows us to visit a tidal pool found in Oregon. (To see a picture of tidal pools off the coast of Oregon, visit http://www.seanspot.com/photos/oregon-tr... .) There is a short description of each zone, followed by the various organisms that can be found to habit each zone. Clicking on the name of the organism brings up additional information such as diet, predators and behaviour. You might also like to take PBS's virtual tour of a tidal pool, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/edgeofsea... . Here you will see the tidal pool at both high and low tide. To view this web site you must have Apple QuickTime 3.

I think that a visit to a tidal pool would make an interesting and educational outing. Learn about the various species that inhabit intertidal zones before hand, then see how many you can identify. But remember, to respect nature. The site, http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/puget... , has some tidal pool tips that you might like to read. Unfortunately, tidal pool creatures are living in an endangered environment. What type of pollution threatens them? Take a look at Save the tidal pools, http://www.learningspace.org/instruct/lp... , to find out. Threatened Habitats: Intertidal Zones, http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANE... , states that intertidal zones which may support nearly two thousand species, are threatened by coastal development, land-based runoff, and ocean pollution. Let's hope they survive.