INDIA’S FIRST INTERTIDAL BIOBLITZ CONCLUDES, DOCUMENTING SEVERAL INTERTIDAL SPECIES

GS 3 – Environment

The Intertidal Bioblitz, a citizen science initiative, was jointly conducted by the Coastal Conservation Foundation and the East Coast Conservation Team to document biodiversity in India’s intertidal zones.

• A flatworm, Pseudoceros bifascia, was recorded for the first time from mainland India (Andhra Pradesh coast).

About the Intertidal Zone

• The intertidal zone is the dynamic area where the ocean meets the land, periodically submerged during high tide and exposed during low tide.
• It is a harsh environment where species must endure significant changes in moisture, temperature, salinity, and wave intensity.

Importance of Intertidal Zones

• Breeding Grounds for Marine Life: Serves as protected nurseries for juvenile fish, crustaceans, and others.
• Coastal Erosion Buffer: Acts as a natural barrier to absorb wave energy and stabilize shorelines.
• Primary Production Source: A critical conduit for energy, nutrients, and pollutants between land and sea.
• Carbon Sequestration: Plays a significant role in absorbing carbon.

Threats to Intertidal Zones

• Climate Change: More intense storms, rising seas, and temperature fluctuations are threatening the entire ecosystem.
• Human Activities: Oil spills, tourism, harvesting, pollutants, and shoreline development all pose serious risks.

 

Intertidal Zones (Based on Time Submerged)

SPRAY ZONE	HIGH INTERTIDAL ZONE
Mostly moist from wind-blown spray and waves. May be submerged during storms.	Short duration exposure to air. Animals adapted to constant flux include seagrasses, anemones, and gobies.

 

MIDDLE INTERTIDAL ZONE	LOW INTERTIDAL ZONE
Area between average high and low tides.	Nearly always submerged except during peak low tides.
Features species like seagrasses, anemones, and gobies.	Most diverse with sea urchins, stars, corals, nudibranchs, and octopuses.