1. Natural Sciences Grade 7
Term 4: Planet Earth and Beyond
Relationship of the Moon to the Earth
(ppt 4)

2. Topic 2 Relationship of the Moon to the Earth
Shoreline Ecosystems
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

3. Natural Sciences - Grade 7
Shorelines
Tides move in and out two times daily and thus
the shorelines are sometimes under water OR
exposed to air.
Living creatures in the sea must live in cold temperatures.
The sea water along the west coast has a temperature of 6-14ºC.
Tides that go out, can be very hot, because the intertidal zone [shoreline area that lies between the low tide line and the high tide line] is exposed to the blazing sun.
Sediments are rich food resources and it is at the bottom of the sea.
Some plants have air filled pockets that allow them to drift:
- they receive more sunlight during low tide
- during high tide they move to sunny spots so that their photosynthesis can be increased.
Shoreline plants and animals cannot survive out of the water.
Animals rely on the high tides for food, oxygen and other nutrients in the tide pools
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

4. Natural Sciences - Grade 7
Shorelines
Living things do not dry out, they survive as follows:
- Shellfish clamp down tightly on rocks.
- Snails burrow down into the sand.
The sea brings plankton [rich food for living organisms in
shoreline ecosystems] and organic matter in with every tide.
Plants grow fast in shallow water, because there is a lot of light.
Seaweed [e.g. kelp] is found on the shore after storm waters.
Sediments are rich food resources and it is at the bottom of the sea.
Some plants have air filled pockets that allow them to drift:
- they receive more sunlight during low tide
- during high tide they move to sunny spots so that their photosynthesis can be increased.
Shoreline plants and animals cannot survive out of the water.
Animals rely on the high tides for food, oxygen and other nutrients in the tide pools
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

5. Rocky shore ecosystems
Small snails and lichens grow here.
Water cover some rocks for a short time of every day.
Shellfish and snails are the main animals.
Seaweed grow around and in rocky pool.
Other creatures and anemone live in the rock pools.
Small crabs hide in the seaweed.
Some animals have pockets/lids that open to feed [mussels; oysters].
Sea anemones open their tentacles to trap their food during high tide.
Rocky shore animals only breed and feed while they are covered by the water.
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

6. Sandy shore ecosystems [1]
Land living animals [sand fleas – pic. 1 and ghost crabs – pic. 2] are found in the upper beach area which is dryer.
The beach is later exposed to the air after the beach had been under water for a certain period.
The low tide water’s wave action provides protection for:
- the animals and plants against the predators
- the ecosystem from the sun’s excessive heat
Some animals and plants have developed adapted suckers to cling to the rocks and it helps that they are not easily washed ashore.
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

7. Sandy shore ecosystems [1]
Plough snails [pic. 3] and a variety of shellfish [pic. 4] are found further down where the beach is covered by seawater.
These plough snails appear from the sand during high tide so that they can be washed up ashore by the waves in order to feed on decayed flesh particles on the sand.
During low tide the plough snails burrow into the sand to ensure that they are not dried out.
The low tide water’s wave action provides protection for:
- the animals and plants against the predators
- the ecosystem from the sun’s excessive heat
Some animals and plants have developed adapted suckers to cling to the rocks and it helps that they are not easily washed ashore.
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

8. Sandy shore ecosystems [2]
White mussels live in the wet sand and they move up and down as the tides change.[pic.1]
They have siphons [two small tubes]. Water is sucked up through one siphon and filter out whatever is edible, while the other siphon is used to pump out the water.
Many animals have hard coverings or shells that prevent their bodies from drying out when they are exposed to the scorching sunlight.
Natural Sciences - Grade 7

9. Sandy shore ecosystems [2]
Tiny creatures that survive from the bacteria, organic matter and algae [pic. 4] live in the sand grains and they are eaten by the birds in the sandy shore ecosystem.
Kelp [pic. 2] and sand hoppers [pic. 3] hide below the material that the high tides and the strong waves wash up.
Living things must burrow into the sand in order to survive.
Many animals have hard coverings or shells that prevent their bodies from drying out when they are exposed to the scorching sunlight.
Natural Sciences - Grade 7