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Summaries · Grade 6 Natural Sciences › Rocky shores and coastal ecosystems
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Rocky shores and coastal ecosystems

The intertidal zone, how rocky-shore animals are adapted, ocean currents and protecting our coast. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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Life between the tides

The tide changes about every six hours, so animals in the intertidal zone are covered by sea water for part of the day and left in the sun and wind for the rest. The higher up the shore an animal lives, the longer it is out of the water. A rock pool is sea water trapped in the rocks at low tide; it can get very hot and salty.

The meerkat explores a rock pool at low tide.
The meerkat explores a rock pool at low tide.
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Adaptations

Animal or plantHow it survives
LimpetClamps tight onto the rock when the tide goes out
MusselsGrow packed together to hold water and resist waves; filter food
BarnaclesClose their hard plates tightly
Sea starTube feet; eats mussels
KelpLarge brown seaweed: shelter for rock lobster, abalone, sea urchins
Rule

Seaweed is the producer in the rocky-shore food web.

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Currents and protection

  • The cold Benguela current’s nutrients feed tiny sea plants, and so all the west coast’s life.
  • Plastic: animals swallow it or get tangled in it.
  • There is a limit on how many mussels you may collect, so that enough are left to breed.
  • If you turn over a rock in a rock pool, put it back exactly as it was.

Rocky shores matter to people too: for fishing, tourism and research.

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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • The intertidal zone lies between high and low tide; the tide comes about twice a day.
  • Animals must survive water, then sun and air: a limpet clamps tight, barnacles close their plates.
  • Mussels filter food from the water; a sea star eats mussels and walks on tiny tube feet.
  • The cold Benguela current (west coast) is rich in nutrients; the warm Agulhas current flows down the east coast.
  • A marine protected area limits fishing; do not take too many shellfish.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

Benguela = Brrr, cold (west coast). Agulhas = Aah, warm (east coast).

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

First say what the word means, then turn the card over.

Test yourself · Part 2

True or false?

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