User:Shrimperyy/Tide pool

Marine life
Tide pools contain complex food webs that can vary based on the climate.

Fauna
The presence of the California mussel increases the supply of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in coastal marine tide pools which allows the ecosystem the nutrients to be more productive. . The shell of a California Mussel is primarily composed of Aragonite and Calcite which are both polymorphs of Calcium carbonate. Climate change and ocean acidification has led to a decrease in these amounts important compounds in California Mussel shells over many years. Many species of Hermit crab are commonly found in tide pool environments.The long-wristed hermit crab (Pagurus longicarpus) has been found to become stranded in tide pools and are forced to inhabit snail shells in response to the rapidly changing temperature of the pools. Hermit crabs of different or the same species compete for the snail shells that are available.

The Tidepool sculpin is a species of fish that is named for its tide pool habitat. The Tidepool Sculpin has been found to show preferences for certain tide pools and will return to their tide pool of choice after being removed from it. This is a behavior known as Homing (biology). These fish crawl on the floor of tide pools using a back and forth movement of their tail fin and a rotating motion of their pectoral fins.

Multiple species of Amphipods (Amphipoda) can be found in coastal tide pools. These small crustaceans provide an important food source for predator species as well as limiting the growth of algae attached to vegetation.

Coastal predators
Tide pools are often surrounded by coastal predators who feed on tide pool flora and fauna. These predators play an important role in the tide pool Food web and create competition for resources.

References