MGT 4620 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Estuary, Intertidal Zone, Mudflat
Document Summary
Area between high & low tide, always (varying) coverage of water. Air exposure (emersion): move & seek wet areas, sessile: close shells & live in groups to prevent desiccation. Temperature & salinity fluctuations: if mobile: seek wet areas, be lightly colored to reduce heat absorption from sun. Wave action: be flexible, strong attachments. Avoid battery & removal from environment: live in groups. Predation: large food web, no hiding place, greatly structures community. Sessiles need surface to attach, constantly look for new areas. Reproductive success: larvae must be able to move to find suitable habitat, meroplanktonic: return of larvae to suitable adult habitat. Upper limit set by physical factors: physical (temperature, salinity, air): amnt. time spent @ water line. Lower limit set by biological factors: tolerance in bell-shaped curve, optimal range in center. Competitive exclusion: the elimination of one species by another as a result of competition: die-offs, less competition.
