Marine Habitats
Kelp Beds, or kelp forests, are cold water marine habitats that feature a bounty of marine organisms. Kelp beds are found in cold waters, close to the shore, commonly in twenty to thirty meters of water. Kelp beds are dominated by very large brown algae called kelp. Kelps are restricted to cold water climates because warmer waters tend to lack the rich supply of nutrients that kelps need to flourish. Many different types of kelp are found in a kelp bed, among them are the giant kelp, the bullwhip kelp, the palm kelp, and the feather boa kelp. Besides the towering kelps, other algae is also found in the kelp bed, including a turf-like layer of red algae. Amidst the stalks and blades of the kelp live many marine animals. One of these animals is the sponge (porifera). Sponges are simple invertebrates, several species of which are found in the kelp bed. Especially interesting about the sponge is their level of organization. Many other invertebrates live in the kelp forests. Some of them are sea anemones, sea squirts, barnacles, sea stars, sea bats, gastropods, amphipods, and isopods. A few species of fish also live in this amazing habitat. They include the sheephead and several types of rockfish. Rockfish feed on other fish and a variety of invertebrates. Individual species occupy relatively discrete sub-habitats within the kelp bed, thereby avoiding direct competition with each other. A few marine mammals may also be found within the boundaries of a kelp forest. During its lifetime the sea lion may visit the kelp bed many times, while the sea otter spends almost its entire life in the kelp bed and plays a very important role in this habitat.
Rocky Shores, or the rocky intertidal zone (tide pools), are found up and down the coasts of every continent where the ocean meets the land. The rocky shore habitat varies from place to place, and can range in size and structure from nearly flat to extremely steep with cliffs and overhangs. The organisms found in this habitat face many challenges that their relatives in the deeper waters do not have to. Some of these challenges include dealing with the tides, exposure to air, waves, extreme temperatures, the constantly changing salinity, or salt content, of the water, pollution, and people. The different plants, and many of the animals, that live in the rocky intertidal zone permanently attach themselves to the rocks to avoid being swept away by the waves. Some of them include the different red, green, and brown algae, barnacles, mussels, sponges, and anemones. Gastropods, (sea snails), prevent themselves from being swept away by grabbing onto the rocks with their large foot, a muscular structure found on the underside of the animal. Some common gastropods found in the rocky intertidal are limpets, turban snails, dog winkles, and nudibranchs. Other animals live in tide pools, where it is always wet and the water is somewhat calm. Urchins, sea stars, flat worms, segmented worms, crabs, and some varieties of fish live in these tide pools. The best way to learn about the rocky intertidal is to experience it yourself. If you do plan to visit this amazing habitat be sure not to destroy it! If you pick organisms, try to return them to where you found them. If you turn over rocks, return them to their original position so the animals attached to them don't die. Please don't try to remove anything that seems to be permanently attached to the rocks and try not to litter. If you visit, we recommend that you bring along a couple of books to help you identify what you see. A really good book to have is Pacific Intertidal Life, by Ron Russo and Pam Olhausen. The book is small, easy to carry, and a great source of information concerning the rocky intertidal habitat.
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