Climate
Climate change is a rising problem for Intertidal Zone organisms. Most climate
change is human induced. "In the oceans, human-induced climate change has
generated a significant rise in global ocean temperatures and related changes in
ocean currents, ice coverage, and sea level. Extreme weather events may also
become more frequent as a result of climate change. These climatic changes will
impact a variety of marine animals and plants and even entire ocean ecosystems."
(Sea World)
As ocean temperatures warm, intertidal organisms will shift their population and
distribution. Scientists have notcied dramatic shifts in populations in
California's tide pools. Rocky intertidal zones, sometimes referred to as tide
pools, are a diverse and unique ecosystem. Organisms living in tide pools have
to deal with naturally harsh conditions such as spending time out of water and
dealing with strong wave action. Tide pools are impacted by human activities,
such as trampling and are vulnerable to the effects of climate change
change is human induced. "In the oceans, human-induced climate change has
generated a significant rise in global ocean temperatures and related changes in
ocean currents, ice coverage, and sea level. Extreme weather events may also
become more frequent as a result of climate change. These climatic changes will
impact a variety of marine animals and plants and even entire ocean ecosystems."
(Sea World)
As ocean temperatures warm, intertidal organisms will shift their population and
distribution. Scientists have notcied dramatic shifts in populations in
California's tide pools. Rocky intertidal zones, sometimes referred to as tide
pools, are a diverse and unique ecosystem. Organisms living in tide pools have
to deal with naturally harsh conditions such as spending time out of water and
dealing with strong wave action. Tide pools are impacted by human activities,
such as trampling and are vulnerable to the effects of climate change
. The graphic below highlights the Califonia Intertidal Zone temperature changes by month.
Rainfall
Rainfall varies among the California coast:
Imperial Beach receives 10.5 inches of rainfall annually.
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Laguna Beach receives 13.8 inches of rainfall a year and there are an estimated 33 days of rainfall.
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Newport Beach receives 10.6 inches of rainfall, and has 35 days of rainfall.
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Oceanside has 10.3 inches annually and 33 days of rainfall.
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San Diego has 42 days of annual rainfall and receives 10.3 inches.
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