Organisms That Create Homes for Other Organisms on Marine Shores

The intertidal zone is a narrow strip along marine shores where the ocean meets land. Tides make this environment different from any other. Every day, low tides expose the intertidal zone to the air, while high tides completely submerge it. Given the daily alternation between dry and wet conditions, one would expect that very few species could live at the intertidal zone. Yet, it is common to find diverse and abundant communities there. How can so many organisms thrive in these stressful environments? The answer is foundation species. Foundation species, such as some bivalves, seaweeds, and seagrasses, often cover large areas of the intertidal substrate, and their body structures create 3-dimensional homes for smaller creatures. Not only do foundation species provide habitats, but they also protect smaller species from environmental stress, making an otherwise dangerous place substantially safer. This makes foundation species the heroes of stressful environments like the intertidal zone.