The ecology of some tidepools of the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland

Pittman, Robert Charles (1974) The ecology of some tidepools of the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (22MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

The relationships between plants, animals and physical factors of the tidepool environment were examined. Seasonal and diurnal observations were made in six tidepools, three of which were located on an extremely exposed coast and three on a moderately exposed coast. -- Pools located on moderately exposed coasts were subject to less extreme wave exposure. The decrease in wave exposure was positively correlated with the number of species found in pools. However, larger numbers of fewer species were often found in pools on highly exposed coasts. -- Elevation of pools above sea level was also correlated with a reduction in the number of species and stratification in pools. Temperature, salinity and oxygen stratification were frequently found in pools of high elevation. -- Variations in tidepool physical factors were found. Over a 12 hour period the tidal cycle caused variations in temperature pH and Oxygen content of the pool water. -- Faunal and floral species were subject to extreme pool conditions resulting in seasonal and daily fluctuations in number or coverage in a tidepool. Plants of spring flora and animals whose population increased due to breeding cycles were observed in the tidepools. -- Biomass of tidepools was found to be highest in pools of the mid-littoral. Thus, pools which can provide moderated conditions of exposure and submergence are most likely to produce greatest biomass.

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