Science
Science
Science
Protecting And
Conserving Our
Intertidal Zones And
Estuaries
Krystel Bautista
Grade V-Gomburza
Guide 1
Intertidal Zone
The intertidal zone is an ecosystem found on marine shorelines, where a multitude of organisms living on the
shore survive changes between high and low tides.
The intertidal zone is an extreme ecosystem because it constantly experiences dra
changes. It is located on marine coastlines, including rocky shores and sandy beaches.
intertidal zone experiences two different states: one at low tide when it is exposed to the
and the other at high tide when it is submerged in seawater. The zone is completely submer
by the tide once or twice every day. This ecosystem is rife with research opportunities
marine researchers like National Geographic grantee Swapnale Gole, who studies the behavio
sea anemones, crustaceans, and fish in the intertidal zones of the Andaman Islands in In
Organisms that live in the intertidal zone tend to form their own communities across
zone’s elevation gradient. Some species live further up the shore and closer to the high tide l
while others live further down the shore, closer the low tide line. Anything living in the intert
zone must be able to survive changes in moisture, temperature, and salinity and withstand str
waves. Intertidal zones of rocky shorelines host sea stars, snails, seaweed, algae, and cr
Barnacles, mussels, and kelps can survive in this environment by anchoring themselves to
rocks. Barnacles and mussels can also hold seawater in their closed shells to keep from dr
out during low tide. Intertidal zones richer in sediments are filled with different species
clams, sand dollars, and worms.
Guide 2
What You Can Do to Help Protect our
Coastal Watersheds and Estuaries
Here's what you can do to protect our coastal watersheds and estuaries, our pricele
resources:
GUIDE 3
What is an Estuary?
ACTIVITY 1
Answer key to activity
1. B
2. E
3. A
4. B
5. d
Assessment:
Do your part to help protect and conserve our nation's estuaries:
At Home
Keep septic systems working properly. Pump your system every thre
years. Leaking systems seep into estuaries and pollute them.
Think before you pour something down the drain. Many hazardous
products flow from household drains through sewage treatment plan
and into coastal bodies of water.
Pave Less. Hard surfaces speed up water runoff and increase pollutio
and erosion.
In Your Garden
Avoid using toxic pesticides. Try using natural lawn and garden
treatments. Plain soap and water does the job and can keep harmful
chemicals from ending up in nearby waterways.
Use native plants. Garden and landscape with plants native to your a
and reduce the need for watering and fertilizing.
Collect rainwater. Reducing runoff is critical to minimize the impact
yards and gardens have on surrounding lakes and streams.
On the Water
Anytime, Anywhere
Objectives:
1. Participate in community efforts in protecting and conserving estuaries an
intertidal environment
2. Apply ways in protecting and conserving the water ecosystem
Activity Sheet
Human size game board ( Snake and Ladder game) Human Dice
What to do:
1. Group the class into 4
2. Show to the class the human board
3. Listen very carefully as the teacher explain how to perform the a
4. Tell the pupils that today they will play the human game board.
5. Each group will choose explorer. The explorer is the one who wa
human board.
6. Each group will toss the human dice, after that the explorer will m
the number that corresponds in the dice.
7. First explorer to reach the finish line will be the winner.
Guide Questions:
1. How did you find the activity?
2. Is everybody participate in the activity? Why? Why not?
3. What are the possible problem of water ecosystem encountered
game?
4. What are the possible solutions indicated in the board game?
5. What did you learn from this activity?
Remember these:
There are so many ways in protecting and conserving our estuaries but
and easiest way to conserve is to conserve water and plant
which does not require fertilizers.
The used of fertilizers, sewage from falling septic tanks, pet waste, wast
discharge from industrial facilities, sediment from constructi
the rapid increase in population are the main reasons that mak
system imbalance.
Remember these:
Putting coconut fiber mat, planting marsh grass, and mussels bed
trees, reducing sewage, are some activities that may help in t
preservation and conservation of our estuaries and intertidal