Tidal Zones
Dana Schuerholz
The intertidal zone is the area where a body of salt water meets the land between high and low tides. There are several types of intertidal zones including, steep rocky ledges, long sloping sandy beaches and combinations of each. Sandy shore ecosystems support burrowing invertebrates while rocky shores support organisms like bivalves, snails and sea stars. All intertidal zones maintain a balance between land and sea. Intertidal zones provide homes to specially adapted marine plants and animals who in turn serve as food for many other animals.