Local Ecosystem REPORT

AIM
To investigate the types of producers and animals that occurs in the tidal rock-shelf ecosystem. To measure a few physical and chemical components. To measure distribution and abundance of tidal rock-shelf animals To investigate adaptations of organisms to the tidal rock-shelf ecosystem at Long Reef rock platform

APPARATUS
Tank Quadrat Dropper Scale Net 15 metre line Thermometer Universal indicator solution Refractometer Bottle two Marked containers (3L each) pH chart Transect Bucket String Ocean water Rock pool water Pen

METHOD
a) Abiotic factors: i. Temperature: 1. Obtained a thermometer. 2. Recorded the temperature of the air at a height of one metre above the ground in the shade. 3. Recorded the water temperature at a depth of 5cm below the surface in a rock pool at the highest level. 4. Recorded the temperature of the ocean. 5. Repeated step 1-4, seven times to see if similar results were obtained, since similar results were obtained, experiment results were reliable. 6. Calculated the average, to make the effect of any errors seem insignificant.

ii.

pH: 1. Collected a sample of water from the rock pool and ocean in the marked containers [RP] so that it was approximately half full. 2. Added five drops of universal indicator solution. 3. Compared the colour produced with the colour chart. 4. Repeated steps 1-3 using a sample of water from the ocean in the marked container [O] so that it was approximately half full. 5. Repeated step 1-4, seven times to see if similar results were obtained, since similar results were obtained, experiment results are reliable. 6. Calculated the average, to make the effect of any errors seem insignificant.

iii.

Salinity: 1. Collected a sample of rock pool water in the marked container [RP]. 2. Rinsed out the dropper and place a drop of water on the refractometer. 3. Read in grams of salt per litre on the right hand side. 4. Repeated steps 1-3 using a sample of ocean water in the marked container [O]. 5. Repeated step 1-4, seven times to see if similar results were obtained, since similar results were obtained, experiment results are reliable. 6. Calculated the average, to make the effect of any errors seem insignificant.

b) The distribution and abundance of tidal rock shelf animals. i. Distribution using transect 1. Obtained a transect marked at one metre intervals. 2. Measured and marked the total area of the sloping rock on the edge of the rock platform. 3. Placed the transect randomly in the area. 4. Observed and recorded the tidal rock shelf organisms at each metre interval. 5. Repeated steps 3 and 4 ten times to obtain a large sample size that is representative of the entire population. 6. Drew a profile to show the distribution.

7. Repeated the above steps seven times to see if similar results were obtained, since similar results were obtained, experiment results were reliable.

ii.

Abundance using quadrat.

1. Obtained a quadrat [0.5m2]. 2. Measured and marked the area above the high tide mark. 3. Placed the quadrat randomly in the marked area. 4. Observed and recorded the number of tidal rock shelf animals within the quadrat. 5. Repeated steps 3 and 4 ten times and recorded results. 6. Calculated the abundance or population using the following formula: Number in Population = Area of Population Area of Sample 7. Repeated steps 1-6 in a tidal rock pool area. 8. Repeated the above steps, seven times to see if similar results were obtained, since similar results were obtained, experiment results were reliable. 9. Calculated the average, to make the effect of any errors seem insignificant Number in Sample

RESULTS

ABIOTIC FACTOR TEMPERATURE pH SALINITY

OCEAN 19 8 38

ROCK POOL 21 8 38

AIR 20 N/A N/A

Location 1

above the High Tide Mark

Animal Species 1. 2.
Location 2

Blue Periwinkles Knobbly wink

Tally (1/4) Your (1/4) 31 1

Total (4/4) No. Per 0.50m2 72 1

Animal Species 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Black Nerita Conniwink Mulberry Shell Waratah anemone Zebra top shell Oyster (Sydney Rock)

Tally (1/4) Your (1/4) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Total (4/4) No. Per 0.50m2 1 53 19 5 25 11

Location 3

Low Tide

Animal Species 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Black nerita Ribbed limpet Turban Shell Barnacle Waratah anemone Mulberry Shell

Tally (1/4) Your (1/4) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Total (4/4) No. Per 0.50m2 44 188 6 44 54 36

ADAPTATIONS
a. Common Brown Kelp (Ecklonia radiata) [plant]:
Description of Environment: sub littoral zone attached to shallow rocks or reefs, just below the low tide. Phylum: Brown Algae [Phaeophyta] Water Absorption and Conduction Diffuses water through the fonds assisted by large surface area. Anchoring system The hold fast oozes cement to grip on the rock and the veins hold onto the rock. Reproduction Male gametes with tails called flagella, one short, one long, which help them swim help them reproduce. It can also reproduce by spores. Other adaptations to enable it to survive in its environment Flexible and strong to move with the waves. Spiky ends on fronds act as shock absorbers to protect fronds. The plant is also slimy so barnacles and other shells slip off. It is also crinkly so the air pockets within the fronds help it to float for sunlight to help in the process of photosynthesis.

1. 2. 3.

4.

5.

b. Sea Urchin (Centrostephanus radgersil) [animal]:

10. Method of movement: Movement of spines on the underside of the body or used their feet to move on the sea bottom or rocks. 11. Method of gaseous exchange: peristominal gills 12. Adaptations that enable organism to survive in its habitat The shells within the skeleton of the sea urchins are made up of packed fitted plates which protect them from being damaged. The spines outlining the shell are moveable and help them to camouflage or protect itself from predators.

DISCUSSION

1. Outline some factors that might account for the distribution and abundance of organisms in this ecosystem. What adaptations do the animals/plants have to help them survive? The factors which might account for the distribution and abundance of organisms in the rock shelf ecosystem include: sunlight, temperature, and wave action, pH, availability of food, shelter and predation. Common brown kelp (Ecklonia radiata) is an organism which can adapt to the rock-shelf ecosystem. This species uses its rubbery spikes to cover the fronds and they act as shock absorbers, protecting it from waves pushing it into the rocks. It also has a flexible stype, which enables it to take the damage from waves. The fronds are covered with slime to prevent the attachment of organisms, like barnacles. The fronds are additionally wrinkled to increase the SA: V ratio for easier retrieval of light and water. Another organism which can handle the rock-shelf ecosystem is the sea urchin (Centrostephanus radgersil). This organism uses different methods to get to the ecosystem, for example: the gonads are lined with muscles underneath the peritoneum and these allow the animal to squeeze into small holes so the waves dont smash against it. It also uses this method when fertilization takes place. The upper side of the mouth is covered and protected with spines and spikes, these spikes can also move so the sea urchin can move into little gaps in the rock. The sea urchin has 5 teeth which enables it to feed on invertebrates such as sponges, etc.

2. Explain how the abiotic factors studied might affect the distribution of organisms. The effects include: Waves: strong waves are able to wash organisms off the rock platform. Sunlight: causes organisms to take shelter so they dont lose water (dehydrate), it can help plants for photosynthesis, and cause shells to lose colour. pH: limits number of animals in a rock pool, when the sea becomes too acidic the shells of animals dissolve therefore limiting their lives and killing them. Salinity: organisms which do not have a proper excretory system cant live in areas of high salinity. They will eventually die. Temperature: affects where organisms live. Some organisms generally live in the cool environment so they move away from the hot environments. Organisms can only be affected in places/tolerate temperature depending on adaptations.

3. Suggest how the abiotic factors in this ecosystem are likely to change: a) Over a 24 hour period b) Seasonally A. 24 HOURS: temperature, availability of water, tide changes, sunlight. B. SEASONAL: temperature, current change, water temperature, wind and rainfall.

4. Suggest how the abiotic factors in this ecosystem are likely to change: a) Over a 24 hour period b) Seasonally A. 24 HOURS: temperature, availability of water, tide changes, sunlight. B. SEASONAL: temperature, current change, water temperature, wind and rainfall.

5. Describe the impact of human activities on the ecosystem. How could the quality of the ecosystem you studied be improved, maintained or preserved? Humans have a heavy impact on the rock-shelf ecosystem due to human interaction. These impacts are via fishing lines with hooks on the floor, pollution, over fishing, introducing new species and humans taking organisms out of their habitat. We could fix these problems by putting bins near the rock platform so fisher men can put their hooks in and for tourists to put their rubbish in, placing sanctuaries so no one can take organisms or fish in the area and rangers should try and eradicate any introduced species as they compete with native organisms.

CONCLUSION
To sum up, there are many types of producers and animals which occur in the tidal rock-shelf ecosystem. These producers and animals include: blue periwinkles in the above high tide mark; and barnacles, conniwinks, mulberry shells, zebra top shells, rock oysters and waratah anemones in the tidal rock pool. Other animals in the tidal rock shelf ecosystem involve, brown kelp, surf barnacles, coralline algae, limpets and encrusting red algae. Also, animals such as sea stars, sea urchins, brittle stars, sea hares and octopuses occur in the tidal rock-shelf ecosystem. These animals all have adaptations to survive in the tidal rock-shelf system. Also, physical and chemical components were measured involving temperature, pH levels and salinity. The temperature was measured using a thermometer in the ocean, rock pool and the air. The pH levels of the water in the ocean and rock pools were also measured using a universal indicator while the salinity of the ocean and rock pools were measured using a refractometer. Therefore, the physical and chemical components were measured. Distribution and abundance of tidal rock shelf animals were also measured. Distribution was measured using a transect while abundance was measured using a quadrat, in locations above the high tide mark and in the tidal rock pool. Each animal has specific adaptations to its distribution, due to factors such as heavy waves. Organisms must have adaptations to the tidal rock-shelf ecosystem involving structural, behavioural or physiological adaptations which help the organism in customs involving support and movement, gaseous exchange, reproduction and water balance control and temperature control.

BY: NOURA EL-HAJJE 10GT