Question 1

This is a period of moderate tides when the sun and the moon are perpendicular to each other that

results to a smaller difference between high and low tides. It occurs twice a month, first and third

quarter of moon, when the sun and the moon are the right angles to each other, thus the bulge of

the oceans caused by the sun cancels out partially the bulge of ocean caused by the moon to

produce moderate tides.

Question 2

This is a ‘springing forth’ notion of a tide during new and full moon that results to a larger

difference between high and low tide water levels. It occurs twice each lunar month yearly

regardless of season when the earth, sun and moon are almost aligned. Therefore, the

gravitational pull of the sun combines with gravitational pull of the moon on earth causing the

oceans to bulge more than usual.

Question 3

Spring tide results to a wide difference range hence a wide intertidal zone. This will enhance

favorable conditions for Chthamalus species of barnacle as they have a wider area of

distribution. The presence of enough nutrients will enable the species to rapidly reproduce as

they have and compete for nutrients and sunlight. The neap tide will have a negative effect to the

Chthamalus due to the limited area for their distribution. On the other hand, Balanus which are

located on the lower intertidal zone will be negatively affected by Spring tides as they are much

exposed to predators. Neap tide will have an insignificant effect to Balanus as they will remain

submerged in the water thus their distribution will not be much positively affected.
Question 4

Neap Tide (1m) Graph

Graph of abundance over time

200
180
160
140
Abundance

120
100 Spring Tide
80
60 (4m) Graph
40
20
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Tide# (2Tides per day)

Balanus Chthamalus
Question 5

With 1 meter tide, the abundance of both Chthamalus and Balanus increase steadily over time.

Water provides sufficient minerals which are used by these species as food which they filter

water using the feathery legs thus facilitating more reproduction. The species too are bot exposed

to harsh conditions such as too much sunlight. In a 4-meter tide there is a more increase in the

abundance of Chthamalus species compared to that of Balanus. Spring tide results to wide

increase in intertidal zone due to the wide difference between the high tide and low tide. This

zone provides a wide are for the Chthamalus species to settle, have enough sunlight and

availability of enough nutrients favors the growth and reproduction of this species.

Question 6

Yes. Provided that other factors that affect the abundance of barnacles are insignificant in this

experiment and only given factors are under consideration the abundance of barnacles increase

over time with a difference of abundance between Chthamalus and Balanus. This is because as

time increases most larvae barnacles mature and become adult barnacles increasing their

reproduction. The rate of increase in abundance however reduces afterwards as number of

barnacles increase due to increase in competition between the individual species of barnacles

for food, space etc. The graph of Chthamalus is higher than that of Balanus because most

Balanus are eaten by Thais than Chthamalus who are mostly located at a high tide.

Question 7

Yes. Tides do happen in real life up-to-date. In the coastal shores it’s observed that there are

two high and low tides that happen in a day. The barnacle species are observed in the intertidal

zones with some of the species found in the upper zones while other species located on the lower

zone. The species on the upper intertidal zones are normally observed exposed when the show

experiences a spring time.

Question 8

The temperature of water greatly affects the barnacle abundance. Barnacles will be negatively

affected by cool water as they become much less active and will not strive well in such

environment. The disturbance of human by recreation or some economic activities poses out us

great challenge towards barnacle abundance and elevation. Frequent disturbance will lead to

even the death of the species. Water salinity also makes the life of the barnacle more difficult as

for it to survive it must have the ability to strive in such conditions.

Question 9

A fundamental niche is a range of environmental conditions including habitats and resources to

exploit in which each species can live. On the other hand, realized niche describes the actual

range of conditions like habitats and resources it exploits where the species really lives and

found.
When an organism’s species faces competition through various interactions and pressures from

others, they are forced to go for a narrower niche, where it is well adopted to. The realized niche

is therefore formed.

Question 10

The abundance will increase since there will be less competition for food and oxygen. Predators

will feed highly on them since they are the only species available from the bottom.

Question 11

There will be less competition for food and oxygen hence it will grow and reproduce at a faster

rate due to adequate food and oxygen supply.

 QUESTION 12
Graph of range against time
1.5
1
0.5
0
Range (m)

0 5 10 15 20 25 30
-0.5
-1
-1.5
-2
-2.5
-3
Tide

Highest level Lowest level

Yes. The highest the Chthamalus are found decreases while the lowest level increases. The

increase in the level is attributed to predators feeding on the Chthamalus that were located on

the lower part of the intertidal zone.

QUESTION 13

Graph of range against time

1
0.5
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
-0.5
Range (m)

-1
-1.5
-2
-2.5
-3
Tide

Highest level Lowest level

The range decreases with an increase with time as observed from the decreasing range difference
in the same tide as time progresses. There is enough food nutrients and oxygen required by the
Balanus for growth.

QUESTION 14

Balanus is capable of growing more and out do Chthamalus smothering it but it will not be able to
kill it completely. This is because Chthamalus can be located in the upper zone where Balanus in not
able to survive.

QUESTION 15

No. The Balanus species was not able to overgrow the Chthamalus. This is because Balanus is

not adapted to survive in that range in the rock. This makes it impossible to overgrow

Chthamalus.

QUESTION 16

Yes. Balanus are adapted to strive well in the neap tide while Chthamalus are well adapted to

the spring tide.

QUESTION 19

Mytilus californianus are not found at higher zones higher because they are usually located in

places that allow them pump large volumes of water that contain food and use their sturdy

byssal threads, which they emit as liquids through their byssal glands. When the liquid makes

contact with water from the sea, they become harder and ‘thread like.’ These threads allow

them to firmly hold their bodies on rocks and provide protection by tying down predators and

other parasites by keeping the restrained. Higher zones are usually less watery and dry.

Mytilus californianus do not venture in low zones because it is mostly dominated by predators

like sea stars. Sea stars devour a large number of them in a short period.
Question 20

To live in high intertidal zones, some algae releases a special chemical called tannins that

prevent small inhabitants from using the moist greenery as a shelter against the hot sun or

compete for the same moisture on dry times. The ability of algae to withstand water loss and

high temperatures for prolonged time periods by having leaf-like fronds which are tough and

leathery also enables it to survive in the zone.

To survive in lower zones, some algae have gas-filled structures called floats that enable them

stay high enough in water to obtain enough energy from the sun and be able to

photosynthesize. Some also have holdfasts that they attach on sea floor and anchor them much

like roots of plants to avoid being swept by sea waves.