IGCSE Marine science 5 4 rocky coast

Marine science section 5:4

Syllabus:

1: describe the zones of a typical rocky shore 

(a) supratidal zone 

(b) intertidal zone 

(c) subtidal zone

2 state that environmental factors affect the distribution of organisms on a rocky shore 

(a) biotic factors

 • predation 

• food availability 

(b) abiotic factors 

• exposure to air 

• wave action

 • oxygen •

 air temperature 

• water temperature

3 outline how biotic factors and abiotic factors affect the distribution of organisms on a rocky shore 

(a) macroalgae (Fucus sp.) 

(b) cnidaria (sea anemone) 

(c) molluscs (limpet and mussel)

4 describe how organisms are adapted to live on a rocky shore 

(a) molluscs (limpet and mussel) 

•close shells to prevent water loss

• hard shells to protect against predators

 (b) cnidaria (sea anemone) 

• retract tentacles 

• live in rock pools or below macroalgae to retain moisture

 (c) macroalgae (Fucus sp.)

• thick leathery fronds to avoid drying out 

• a holdfast to withstand currents and wave action

My AS level video might also be of use: