Editing Tide (section)

=== Intertidal ecology ===
[[File:Intertide zonation at Kalaloch.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A rock, seen at low water, exhibiting typical intertidal zonation.|alt=Photo of partially submerged rock showing horizontal bands of different color and texture, where each band represents a different fraction of time spent submerged.]]
{{Main|Intertidal ecology}}
{{Further|Intertidal zone}}

Intertidal ecology is the study of [[ecosystem]]s between the low- and high-water lines along a shore. At low water, the intertidal zone is exposed (or ''emersed''), whereas at high water, it is underwater (or ''immersed''). Intertidal [[ecologist]]s therefore study the interactions between intertidal organisms and their environment, as well as among the [[biological interaction|different species]]. The most important interactions may vary according to the type of intertidal community. The broadest classifications are based on substrates — [[rocky shore]] or soft bottom.

Intertidal organisms experience a highly variable and often hostile environment, and have [[adaptation|adapted]] to cope with and even exploit these conditions. One easily visible feature is [[vertical zonation]], in which the community divides into distinct horizontal bands of specific species at each elevation above low water. A species' ability to cope with [[desiccation]] determines its upper limit, while [[competition (biology)|competition]] with other species sets its lower limit.

Humans [[Exploitation of natural resources|use]] [[Intertidal ecology|intertidal regions]] for food and recreation. [[Overexploitation]] can damage intertidals directly. Other anthropogenic actions such as introducing [[invasive species]] and [[global warming|climate change]] have large negative effects. [[Marine Protected Area]]s are one option communities can apply to protect these areas and aid scientific [[research]].