Human Infulence
Of all the harsh enviornemental factors that intertial zones face, human interference is by far the most damaging to the intertidal zones and threaten their continued existence. Trampling organisms, collecting species, and pollution are the biggest negative risks from human interference.
Trampling
Millions of people explore the beauty of the intertidal zones each year and have a direct impact on the organisms underfoot. Organisms living in tide pools and intertidal zones are crushed by unaware humans. The greatest impact is often through the loss of algae as they are tread upon and worn away resulting in a loss of habitat and food source for other organisms living in the intertidal zone. Even the most careful human visitor cannot avoid stepping on a large number and variety of organisms during explorations.
Collecting
Though it can be tempting for visitors to take a crab, starfish, or snail home, the chances those animals will survive are very small outside of the intertidal zone and the damage caused to the ecosystem can be irreversible. Many counties have regulations and restrictions protecting their interdial zones in order to sustain the intertidal life. Humans, historically and currently, harvest animals and plants from the intertidal environment for food, bait, and aquariums. Many intertidal animals, like the black abalone—prized for its shell and meat—are now scarce or absent in areas where they were once abundant. Numerous shell types, especially those of marine molluscs, are beautiful and valued by collectors. They are also appealing as souvenirs by visitors to the ocean's coasts. Many shells and animals such as starfish and sand dollars that are available to buy in gift stores are collected live and in quantities that are harmful to intertidal zones. As human populations continue to increase along coastlines, more people have access to the intertidal zone, impacting many of the plants and animals that rely upon this habitat. In many regions of the United States harvesting or collection of tide pool animals and plants, for any kind of use, is regulated. Collection of any animals or plants is prohibited in state or national parks or in regional reserves. In addition, animals and plants are protected in NOAA's (National Ocean & Atmospheric Administration) national marine sanctuaries and monuments.
Pollution
Coastal pollution poses a threat to intertidal zones. Types of coastal pollution include discarded trash, oil spills, sewage spills, and toxic chemical runoff—all of which can negatively impact intertidal marine life. Urban runoff is pollution that is washed by rain, sprinklers, and any running water from our yards, streets and other urban spaces into nearby waterways and eventually into the ocean. Urban runoff includes pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer from our lawns, car fluids from roads and driveways, pet waste, and general litter Coastal pollution also poses a threat to tide pool animals and plants. Before coastal pollution enters the ocean, it often goes through the intertidal zone first at its highest concentration.
Trampling
Millions of people explore the beauty of the intertidal zones each year and have a direct impact on the organisms underfoot. Organisms living in tide pools and intertidal zones are crushed by unaware humans. The greatest impact is often through the loss of algae as they are tread upon and worn away resulting in a loss of habitat and food source for other organisms living in the intertidal zone. Even the most careful human visitor cannot avoid stepping on a large number and variety of organisms during explorations.
Collecting
Though it can be tempting for visitors to take a crab, starfish, or snail home, the chances those animals will survive are very small outside of the intertidal zone and the damage caused to the ecosystem can be irreversible. Many counties have regulations and restrictions protecting their interdial zones in order to sustain the intertidal life. Humans, historically and currently, harvest animals and plants from the intertidal environment for food, bait, and aquariums. Many intertidal animals, like the black abalone—prized for its shell and meat—are now scarce or absent in areas where they were once abundant. Numerous shell types, especially those of marine molluscs, are beautiful and valued by collectors. They are also appealing as souvenirs by visitors to the ocean's coasts. Many shells and animals such as starfish and sand dollars that are available to buy in gift stores are collected live and in quantities that are harmful to intertidal zones. As human populations continue to increase along coastlines, more people have access to the intertidal zone, impacting many of the plants and animals that rely upon this habitat. In many regions of the United States harvesting or collection of tide pool animals and plants, for any kind of use, is regulated. Collection of any animals or plants is prohibited in state or national parks or in regional reserves. In addition, animals and plants are protected in NOAA's (National Ocean & Atmospheric Administration) national marine sanctuaries and monuments.
Pollution
Coastal pollution poses a threat to intertidal zones. Types of coastal pollution include discarded trash, oil spills, sewage spills, and toxic chemical runoff—all of which can negatively impact intertidal marine life. Urban runoff is pollution that is washed by rain, sprinklers, and any running water from our yards, streets and other urban spaces into nearby waterways and eventually into the ocean. Urban runoff includes pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer from our lawns, car fluids from roads and driveways, pet waste, and general litter Coastal pollution also poses a threat to tide pool animals and plants. Before coastal pollution enters the ocean, it often goes through the intertidal zone first at its highest concentration.