Coquina Outcrop

This picture was taken near Fort Fisher in North Carolina on March 21, 2017. It depicts tidal pools formed by the only coquina outcrop on the North Carolina coast. Coquina is a type of sedimentary limestone made of a mixture of whole shells and shell fragments. This outcrop is only fully exposed at low tide. The tidal pool environment is regularly covered and uncovered by the ebb and flow of the tide. This creates a very unique habitat that is can be difficult for organisms to live in. Some organisms have adaptations that allow them to live in this harsh environment. Many organisms that live in tidal pools are sessile (permanently anchored to the rock). Some organisms in NC that are adapted to live in tidal pools are whelks, crabs, sea stars, and many species of bivalve. Mobile organisms are able to move out of the tidal pools when necessary. Sea stars and some crabs are able to occupy the pools when they are filled with water. The have also over time adapted to be able to burrow in sand effectively. When the tidal pools are no longer filled with water, sea stars and crabs will bury themselves in sand (either on the beach face or in the ocean) as a way to be protected from both sun exposure and predators. Whelks and bivalves are examples of organisms that anchor themselves to the coquina in the tidal pools. The most common bivalves found in tidal pools in NC are mussels and clams. These bivalves are adapted for the tidal pool environment, as they are filter feeders. This allows them to gain nutrients from water that flows over their siphons. This is an effective adaptation in tidal pools because new water and nutrients are brought into the pool whenever the tide changes. Over time many species have adapted to life in tidal pools, and this creates are very unique and diverse community in the coquina outcrop tidal pools.

 

Works Cited:

 

UNCW Oceanography Lab Manual

 

Coquina Outcrops- Island Ecology 2011

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