Aims
This exercise seeks to explore the zonation of a rocky shore on the Kent coast of south eastern England. Some of the most diverse and productive ecosystems are to be found in the intertidal zone and here is no exception as the chalky rocks are encrusted with marine organisms. Twice daily the tides inundate and then expose the shore, creating a range of challenges and opportunities. Species are adapted to different conditions along the intertidal range and occur in distinct zones. In this exercise you will be using species distribution data from a transect running at right angles to the shore - from the splash zone at the base of the sea wall out towards the low water mark. The distribution of three species of periwinkles will be plotted as a kite diagram to show the zonation of the shore. Data relating to environmental conditions (the presence of rock pools and their temperature) were also collected and these can be presented graphically to give an insight into the factors responsible for the zonation. The site and the survey can be seen in the following video clip.
This exercise allows you to practice graph-drawing skills (either by hand or computer). It also requires you to interpret the changes in species distribution and relate these to environmental factors which underlie rocky shore zonation.
