Intertidal habitat in the Circular Head region
High tide Mid tide Low tide
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INTERTIDAL LIFEFORMS Microphytobenthos
Intertidal seagrass (Zostera muelleri)
INTERTIDAL PROCESSES Heart urchin Polychaete
Gastropod Seagrass detritus Seagrass with algal epiphytes
Bivalves
Crustaceans
Sarcocornia
Fish Flounder
Key to habitats
Austrostipa
Garfish
Flathead
Freshwater input from rivers Groundwater upwelling
Ray
Sediment and nutrient transport
Hooded plover
Sediment movement
INTERTIDAL SUBSTRATES Elevated nutrient levels in the water
Sand
Nutrient exchange between water and sand Mud (in estuary)
Nutrient uptake by seagrass
Erosion
Tern Oyster catcher
Migratory waders
Black swan
Clear shallow water allowing full spectrum light penetration
Wave energy damped by seagrass helping to prevent erosion on the shore.
Moving fine sediment is trapped by seagrass, helping to keep the water clear
Seagrass roots stabilise sand and structure the intertidal habitat for other species.
Tidal movement
Foodweb based on seagrass detritus
Rocky outcrops
Lenses of peaty sand
Average high tide Average low tide
Shoreline wetlands
Intertidal sea grass and sand
Subtidal seagrass beds
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Created by Blue Wren Group, University of Tasmania for the Cradle Coast Authority. Illustration by Jan Tilden, 2010.