MDI Intertidal Species Relation with Sediment Types
by Kristin Zunino
Categorizing Species
Algae and Vascular Plants
Figure 1. Ulva intestinalis (Hollow green algae) and Chondrus crispus (Irish moss) growing on the rims of tide pools at Otter Cliff (Zunino, 2021).
Sponges and Tunicates
Figure 2. Botryllus schlosseri (Golden star tunicate) growing on Edible kelp off the side of Southwest Harbor dock and Halichondria panicea (bread crumb sponge) encrusting a tide pool in Sea-anemone cave (Zunino, 2021).
Barnacles
Figure 3. Balanus balanus or Rough barnacle encrusted on a rock ( https://eol.org/pages/339615) .
Birds
Figure 4. Larus smithsonianus (Herring gulls) and Phalacrocorax auritus (double-crested cormorant) were spotted at Otter Point rocky Cliffside (Zunino, 2021; Got, 2021).
Echinoderms
Figure 5. Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (Green sea urchin) and Cucumaria frondosa (Orange-footed sea cucumber) in the subtidal to intertidal zone at the Bar Island land bridge (Zunino, 2021).
Fishes
Figure 6. Fundulus heteroclitus or Mummichog caught in the net in the Northeast creek (Zunino, 2021).
Arthropoda
Figure 7. Homarus americanus or Northern lobster caught with a lobster pot off of North Haven, Maine (Zunino, 2020). Cancer borealis or Jonah crab molt collected in the intertidal zone at the Bar Island land bridge (Zunino, 2021).
Clams
figure 8. Mercenaria mercenaria (Hard-shelled clam) and Mya arenaria (Soft-shelled clams) dug up from a Hadley Point mudflat (Zunino, 2021).
Marine worms
Figure 9. Cerebratulus lacteus (Milky ribbon worm) and Alitta succinea (Clam worm) were dug up from a Hadley Point mudflat (Kristin, 2021).
Snails
Figure 10. Crepidula plana (Eastern white slipper shell) and Littorina saxatilis (Rough periwinkle) in the intertidal zone at Wonderland Southeast side of Mount Desert Island (Zunino, 2021).
Site Reference Map
ArcGIS Web Application
Hotspot Areas
Site 1: Salsbury Cove
Figure 11. Salsbury Cove intertidal zone.
Marine worms are found burrowed in the mud and organic-rich sediment. It is easier to travel through the small-grained sediment due to muscle contractions and the small parapodial along the length of their bodies. Organic-rich marine sediment usually contains decaying phytoplankton, plant matter, and runoff deposited. Snails and Echinoderms roam on the sand and organic-rich sediment as they sweep the surface to feed on detritus. Arthropods and sponges are together on various sediment types, indicating that the arthropods might be feeding on the filter-feeding sponges. All the species presented stay close to a food source.
Figure 12. Northeast Creek intertidal zone.
Site 2: Northeast Creek
Northeast Creek extends out into the ocean; water salinity decreases further into the creek. Fishes travel in the channel because it provides shelter from current activity. Many fish species around MDI are highly developed in osmoregulation, allowing them to inhabit the creek. Arthropods scavenge for food, including the detritus in the organic-rich sediment and dead fish carcasses.
Figure 13. Bass Harbor on the left and Somes Harbor northern point on the right.
Site 3 & 4: Bass Harbor and North point of Somes Harbor
In Bass Harbor Marsh and the northernmost part of Somes Harbor, Arthropods inhabit the channel's mud and organic-rich sediment as they scavenge for food. The group's population is concentrated under a manufactured bridge, possibly because of the high amount of nutrient-rich runoff. The fishes are in a protected narrow channel that's rich with nutrients. Many fish species will lay their eggs in the protected which acts as a fish nursery.
Figure 14. Wonderland Northwest Coast on the left and Southeast Coast of MDI on the right intertidal zone.
Site 5 & 6: Wonderland Northwest Coast and Southeast Coast of MDI
Biological life is focused on the bedrock in the intertidal zones. Barnacles and Sponges are encrusted on the bedrock as they filter feed on the plankton from the high-energy waves that roll in. Algaes attach to the bedrock by their holdfasts. These are the primary food supplies of the secondary animals in the area. Snails feed on the clusters of barnacles and algae, taking shelter in the stipes. Echinoderms are found feeding on the encrusting sponges, but the danger is nearby. Arthropods are around looking for a meal; echinoderms are on the menu.
Conclusion
Intertidal species set themselves on sediment types base on feeding patterns and protection coverage from predators.
