Found under rock shelves or large boulders are Rock Pricklebacks, Tube Sponges and the Northern Feather Duster Worm. TIDE POOLS which served as a refuge at low tide now join to open water so the oxygen and nutrients can be refreshed. ![]() The limpets and periwinkles arise from their low tide slumber to begin feeding on algae. Several species of marine fish such as the Tidepool Sculpins and Clingfish move among the seaweed feeding on small crustaceans. For example the Purple Sea Star moves up to feed on the mussels and barnacles. Not only is there fresh sea water for breathing, flushing away waste products, bringing in nutrients, and protection from the heat or cold, but it also brings in the predators or allows the ones who stayed to come out of hiding. When the tide comes in, the intertidal world changes. The lowest layer is a wide zone of several species of brown, green and red marine algae such as Sugar Kelp, Crustose Coralline Algae and Sea lettuce. The next lower layer is a black mat of the Edible or Bay Mussel which shelters a variety of small animals. Often found among the rockweed are several species of snails called Limpets with shells that look like little hats. Continuing downward lies the first of the true marine plants, the brown seaweed called Rockweed or Fucus. Just below this black layer is a thin, white layer of Barnacles. Small hardy marine snails called Periwinkles also frequent the area. In fact it is a lichen called Verrucaria which marks the upper zone of salt water tolerant animals and plants. Further down is black material that looks like oil. Below that is a bare area that is thin or wide depending on the exposure to the sun, amount of freshwater runoff, and exposure to salt spray. ![]() This area is rarely, if ever, covered by salt water so no salt water species grow there (however some may be salt tolerant). The upper area is covered by upland plants. The vertical face of the rocky beach, as seen in the photograph, is divided into several areas or layers.
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