Shoreline Biome

A shoreline is formed when the water merges with the land. Land is often submerged in water and gets exposed when the water pulls back. This part of the land and water is a habitat to many living organisms and aquatic animals. As known to many of us, water is a source of life and as it makes its way to the land it also brings along different life forms with it. Even the shallow portion of the shore is home to many different, unique and interesting animals and plants. Shores are not only shelter to numerous life forms but also a source of food to humans and birds like seagulls. There are different types of shores all over the world. Some are rocky while some are sandy shores and life forms are different on these two types of shores. Lets us now take a look at different types of ecosystems on these two types of shores.

Sandy Shoreline Habitat
Sandy shores consists more of soft sand, shells and small rocks. These types of shores hold interesting yet unstable life forms beneath and around it. Changes in the level of tides creates an intertidal zone wherein many marine animals seek shelter. During the time of high tide, these marine animals come out to feed themselves as the tide brings food with it. As the day passes, the approach of low tide sends away the marine animals back to their shelters, where they spend most of their lives. The animals that are found on the shore live their life beneath the sand and often make an appearance during high tide. Sandy shore life has adapted itself very well to the high and the low tides. Some of the interesting life forms found on sandy shores are as follows:

• Sea Star
• Snails
• Sea Turtles
• Horseshoe Crabs
• Egrets
• Sea Oats
• Ghost Crabs
• Smooth Bay Shrimp
• Hermit Crabs
• Marshes

There are many organisms that make burrows into the sand and only come out at the time of low tide for food. Sand provides a strong shelter for these living organisms as it keeps them safe from other predators and even the wild sea waves.

Rocky Shoreline Habitat
Rocky shores are made of pebbles, puddles of salty water, stones and rocky ledges. The life forms dwelling in such shores have a more robust built, that keeps them protected from the harsh conditions of their habitat. Rocky shores provide much stronger and safer shelters compared to sandy shores. Therefore, it possesses several life forms in it. The living organisms of rocky shores have adapted to the continuous change in the tides. The shore is usually divided into various zones in which the animals seek shelter and spend time living in it. With a wide range different unique species, these living organism are classified as herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. As such shores provide for better homes, following are some of the living organisms that love living on such shores.

• Seaweeds
• Brittle Star
• Hermit Crab
• Acorn Barnacle
• Limpet
• Molluscs
• Sea Anemones
• Yellow Tailed Snapper
• Spotted Eagle Ray
• Skates
• Muscles
• Snails
• Goose Barnacles
• Green Fleece Algae
• Kelp
• Sea Lettuce

Sometimes the rough waves and climatic conditions bring disruption to the life, and animals such as mermaid purses are washed on to the shore.

Living organisms living on shores are known to have very unique adaptations. The rough weather conditions in rocky and sandy shores make life harder but beholds some of the interesting forms of life. These ecosystems hold a wide range of life forms, which have caught the attention of many who are willing to study their adaptations and habitat.