Rocky shores

This article describes the habitat of the rocky shores. It is one of the habitat sub-categories within the section dealing with biodiversity of marine habitats and ecosystems. It gives an overview about the biota that lives there, the problems and adaptations the habitat is facing with and the importance of it in the marine environment.

Introduction

A rocky shore is an intertidal area that consists of solid rocks. It is often a biologically rich environment and can include many different habitat types like steep rocky cliffs, platforms, rock pools and boulder fields. Because of the continuously action of the tides, it is characterized by erosional features. Together with the wind, sunlight and other physical factors it creates a complex environment. Organisms that live in this area experience daily fluctuations in their environment. For this reason, they must be able to tolerate extreme changes in temperature, salinity, moisture and wave action to survive.

Rocky shore of the Costa Vicentina