| Bfn Wave exposure | |
|---|---|
| Context | Bfn Natural temperate rocky shores |
| Type | Condition |
| Decompositie type | IOR |
Species composition on the coast is heavily influenced by the exposure to wave forces, as shores sheltered from direct ocean waves and dominant winds must deal with smaller waves and less powerful erosion forces when compared to shores exposed to direct wave action. It is important to note that wave action not only applies direct force on the shore organisms, but also influences the scour and deposition of sediment, underwater currents and supplies oxygen, dissolved nutrients and organic substances (Little et al., 2010). Exposed shores experience sediment scour, stronger underwater currents and their waters are more oxygenated, while calmer, sheltered waters are rich in nutrients and sediment.
While flexible organisms, such as algae, can adjust their shape to cope with hydrodynamic forces (Gaylord et al., 2008), harder, rigid organisms have had to develop various adaptations in order to stay firmly attached to the substrate. For instance, members of the predatory dog whelk (Nucella lapillus) species show significant differences in size and shape depending on the hydrological regime, with individuals from sheltered shores having thinner and elongated shells, while dog whelks inhabiting exposed shores are small and squat with a larger shell opening, in order to cope with the wave forces. Although, also macro algae show differentiations in morphology, as algae growing on sheltered shores grow into larger and more complicated forms when compared to those attached on exposed shores (Ferrier and Carpenter, 2009; Little et al., 2010).
De View-Navigation (VN) pagina's.
De links naar andere pagina's.
| Onderdeel van | Bfn Other abiotic factors influencing rocky shores |
|---|---|
| Instantie van | |
| Betreft |
Draagt bij aan.
| Draagt bij aan | Bfn Genetic resources and biodiversity |
|---|---|
| Waarde | +/- |
| Opmerkingen |
De pagina's die linken naar deze pagina.
Dit element heeft geen subelementen. Naar dit element wordt niet geconnecteerd.
