Organisms
The intertidal zone is a very harsh environment to survive in and this is reflected upon by the organisms which inhabit it. The intertidal zone goes from dry and barren to completely submerged within the same day. Organisms must be able to defend themselves against these natural elements. Organisms inhabit different areas of the Intertidal zone including the spray zone, high intertidal zone, middle intertidal zone, and low intertidal zone. The intertidal zone is constantly changing. There is a large variation of organisms within the zones. The spray zone is perhaps more a part of the land than the ocean. It is submerged only during rare, very high tides or severe storms but remains constantly moist. An example of organisms that live here are Lichen and Periwinkle Snails. The high intertidal is flooded during the peaks of the once or twice daily high tides but mainly remains dry. Top consumers and secondary consumers, referenced on the food web, reside within the high intertidal zone. The inhabitants of the high intertidal zone include Purple Shoreline Crabs, Barnacles and Blue-Green Seaweed. The middle intertidal zone is generally submerged, except for a fairly short period during the turn of the low tide. Mussel beds, Sea Urchins, Snails and Sea Stars commonly reside here. The lower intertidal zone is exposed only during the lowest tides. Inhabitants include Anemones, Red Algae, Dungeness Crabs, Sea Stars and Kelp, this is where most producers reside (ex Red Algae). A primary consumer also inhabits this (Sea Stars).