Editing Tide pool (section)

==Zones ==
{{Main|Intertidal zone}}
[[File:Tide pools in Santa Cruz from Spray-splash zone to low tide zone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Tide pools in Santa Cruz, California from spray/splash zone to low tide zone]]

The rocky shoreline exhibits distinct zones with unique characteristics. These zones are created by the tidal movements of water along the rocky shores from high to low-tide. They are:

* The supralittoral zone or splash zone: area above the high-tide mark, which is virtually a [[Ecoregion#Terrestrial|terrestrial]] environment. Occasionally gets splashed, but never gets covered by the ocean.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Intertidal - Oceans, Coasts & Seashores (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/oceans/intertidal.htm |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en}}</ref>
* The intertidal fringe: area around the high-tide mark. 
* The intertidal or littoral zone: area between the high and low-tide marks. Can be further divided into high, mid, and low intertidal zones, which are explained below in more depth.<ref name=":1" />
* The sublittoral or subtidal zone: area below the low-tide mark.

The presence and abundance of flora and fauna vary between zones along the rocky shore. This is due to niche adaptations in response to the varying tides and solar exposure.

Tide pools exist in the intertidal zone (the area within the [[tidal range]]), which is submerged by the sea at [[high tide]]s and during [[storm]]s. At other times, the rocks may undergo other extreme conditions, such as baking in the [[sun]] or being exposed to cold winds. Few [[organism]]s can survive such harsh conditions.

===High Tide Zone===
The high tide zone is [[flood]]ed during each high tide, which occurs once or twice daily. Organisms must survive [[Wind wave|wave action]], [[Ocean current|currents]], and long exposure to the sun and open air.<ref name=":1" /> This zone is predominantly inhabited by [[seaweed]] and [[invertebrates]], such as [[sea anemone]]s, [[sea star]], [[chiton]]s, [[crab]]s, [[green algae]], and [[mussels]]. Marine [[algae]] provide shelter for [[nudibranch]]s and [[hermit crab]]s. The same waves and currents that make life in the high tide zone difficult bring food to [[filter feeder]]s and other intertidal organisms.

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=== Mid Tide Zone ===
This zone is constantly covered and uncovered by water, so its inhabitants have adapted to surviving in these conditions. More plants and animals live here, compared to the high tide zone, because they are not exposed to drying conditions for so long.<ref name=":1" /> During low tide, anemones close up and mussels close their shells to keep in moisture. They reopen when the tide returns and brings them food.<ref name="NPCA Tide pools" /> [[File:Pteropurpura trialata is laying the eggs 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|alt=Photo of dozens of palm-tree shaped seaweed plants exposed to the air|{{center|Low tide zone in a tide pool}}]]

===Low Tide Zone===
This area is mostly submerged and is exposed only during unusually low tide.<ref name="NPCA Tide pools" /> It usually teems with life and has far more marine vegetation, especially seaweeds. Organisms in this zone do not have to be as well adapted to drying out and temperature extremes. Low tide zone organisms include [[abalone]], anemones, brown seaweed, chitons, crabs, green algae, [[Hydroid (zoology)|hydroids]], [[Isopoda|isopods]], [[limpet]]s, mussels, and sometimes even small [[vertebrates]] such as fish. Seaweeds provide shelter for many animals, like sea slugs and urchins that are too fragile for other zones.<ref name="NPCA Tide pools" /> These creatures can grow to larger sizes because there is more available energy and better water coverage: the water is shallow enough to allow additional sunlight for [[Photosynthesis|photosynthetic]] activity, with almost normal levels of [[salinity]]. This area is also relatively protected from large [[Predation|predators]] because of the wave action and shallow water.