Unit 2 Biology: Queenscliff
and Baron Heads Bluff
Rocky Shore Field study
Results
Discussion
TOTAL
/14
/41
/55
Name:________________________
INTRODUCTION:
The shore is a transition between marine and terrestrial environments. Because of wave and tidal
movements, the transition is gradual; creating a habitat that suits neither fully marine nor fully
terrestrial organisms. These rocky shore organisms must be able to tolerate the physical stresses
unique to this environment. The seashore’s intertidal area is alternatively covered and exposed by
the tides. This is a severe, rugged habitat. It is battered by waves and covered by salt water each
incoming tide, and for the rest of the time it is exposed to the heat and radiation of the sun, icy winds
and rainfall. As most of these organisms are marine, the major physical stresses affecting their
survival are associated with exposure to the air. Exposure to air is stressful to marine organisms just
as submersion in water is stressful to terrestrial ones. Different organisms are able to withstand
different degrees of stress and tend to live in particular areas along the shore that suit their needs.
This causes a pattern of zones of animals and plants along the shore. Certain organisms are adapted
for living at a particular level on the shore. For example, Bull Kelp has structural characteristics
(adaptations), which enable it to tolerate the conditions of the low tide/sea boundary. The upper limit
of an organism’s distribution on the shore obviously depends on its tolerance of the physical
environment.(organisms will only be found in areas where the physical conditions are within the
tolerance range of the organism. However, the lower limits of distribution are affected by biotic
factors; the interactions that occur with other animals and plants on the shore.
Results:
Attach your completed results for Site One and Site Two.
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Site 1: Limestone platform field record chart (6 marks)
Site 2: Basalt Bolder Field (4x2=8marks)
( ½ for microhabitat and organism and 1 for advantage )
Discussion
1. The limestone platform has some regions where rock pools are located and other regions that are
flat and exposed.
a) Name two abiotic factors that exist within a rock pool? (2)
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Consider the rock pools in the intertidal zone below:
High tide mark
Low tide mark
D
The day has been hot and the tide has been out for about 4 hours.
b) Compare rock pools A and C in terms of the following conditions. Provide a brief explanation for
your statements.(6)
(i) Salinity:
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(ii) Dissolved oxygen:
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(iii) Temperature on a warm day:
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c) Compare the air surrounding the area (D) and rock pool B in terms of the stability of the
temperature in this location. ( i.e. how stable or varying is the temperature?) (2)
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d) (i) List two abiotic factors that would operate on the flat surface of the rock platform.(2)
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(ii)List two biotic factors that would influence the type and abundance of orgnanisms present on the
rock platform.(2)
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2) Food Web
Below is a list of some of the organisms that form part of a food web in the ecosystem we
studies at site one.
Organism
Food source
Mussels
Periwinkles
Limpets
Tube worms
dogwhelk
Zooplankton
Sea Birds
Green algae (see lettuce)
plankton
Plankton and lichen
Macroscopic algae
plankton
Mussels, tubeworms, barnacles
phytoplankton
Mussels,limpets, periwinkles
Produces own organic matter via
photosynthesis
Produces own organic matter via
photosynthesis
Produces own organic matter via
photosynthesis
Produces own organic matter via
photosynthesis
Turf red algae
phytoplankton
lichen
If an organisms food source simply states plankton, assume if can feed from both zooplankton and
phytoplankton.
(a) Using the data in the table above construct a comprehenisve food web for the area. Use a A4
sheet of plane paper and attach it to this questions sheet. Your food web will be judged on: (5 marks)
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how clearly it is presented
How comprehensive it is (are all links formed)
Clear format and arrangement
Labelling of producers(P) and consumers(level)(C1=first order consumer and so forth)
b) Feeding adaptations
Of the organisms you observed on this field trip, choose one organism with each of the following
feeding methods and outline the adaptations they have that suite them to their method of feeding.(6)
Feeding method
Carniore
Filter feeder
grazer
Example of Organism
Adaptation of organism
3)
(i) Quote data from the results table for Site 1 to describe how the abundance of Neptunes
necklace compares at the three sites examined along the transect. (1)
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(ii) Suggest a reason for the change in abundance.(1)
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(iii) Describe how the structural adaptation/s of neptunes necklace enable it to survive well in its
preferred location. (2)
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4) Zonation
One easily visible feature of intertidal communities is vertical zonation, where the community is
divided into distinct vertical bands of specific species going up the shore. Species ability to cope with
abiotic factors determines their upper limits of their distribution.
a) What usually determines the lower limits of distribution of the species?
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b) Examine the data for the limestone platform and comment on 3 organisms (other than Neptune’s
Necklace) that seems to occupy a particular zone.
For each example
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outline the how their distribution is influenced by abiotic factors.
Describe one adaptation that suites each organisms to its habitat. (9 marks)
Organism
Zone occupied
(distance in
metres along
transect or clear
description of
location along
shore)
Influence of abiotic factor/s
Adaptation/s
1.
2.
3.
Comparing Limestone Platform with basalt boulders
5. Algae was found growing on the surface of the limestone platform but not on the basalt boulders.
Suggest why this might be. (2)
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Additional References
http://barwonbluff.com.au/habitats/
http://www.rockyshores.net.au/virtual_fs.htm
Others available at http://www.rockyshores.net.au/back_info05.htm