5

Science
Quarter 2 – Module 6
Intertidal Zone and Estuarine
Ecosystem
Science 5
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 - Module 6: Intertidal Zone and Estuarine Ecosystem
First Edition, 2020

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Lesson
Intertidal Zone and
1
Estuarine Ecosystem
At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Describe intertidal zone and estuaries.

• Identify the animals that live in these ecosystems.

Note: All the answers to the activities should be written in a separate sheet.

What Is It
An ecosystem is a place where interaction among living and non-living things occur.
Example of an ecosystem is rotten log, forest, grassland or even school yard. In this module, you
will learn the interaction between living and non-living things in estuaries and intertidal zones.
• Intertidal Zones are home to many kinds of marine animals and birds. These are
constantly exposed to changing tides. During low tide, it is exposed to air and during high
tide, it is submerged in water. The daily changes in the tides play a major role to the life
of living things in this area.
Estuaries means they have the mixture of saltwater and freshwater. Because of its very
unique characteristics, some organisms choose to reproduce in these areas. For such reasons, this
is also called as “nurseries of the seas”.
ABIOTIC FACTORS IN AN INTERTIDAL ZONE AND ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEM
Abiotic factors or non-living factors in an intertidal zone and estuaries are waves,
salinity, temperature, amount of sunlight, and type of soil.
• Waves refer to the movement of the surface of the water. These are strong forces that
organisms must learn to live with. Kelp, a kind of algae, has strong root – like structures
that attaches itself to rocks to keep it from being carried away by the waves.
• Salinity refers to the amount of salt in water. Mangroves and blu crabs have adjusted well
to the constantly changing salinity of water due to the continuous flow of freshwater and
saltwater through the estuary.
• Temperature refers to the level of hotness or coldness of water. It changes because of
the tides and amount of sunlight. Some organisms use plants like mangroves to keep
themselves hidden from direct sunlight or away from the coldness of water,

Since the intertidal zones and estuaries are shallow as compared to the seas, they are also
conducive for photosynthesis to take place. Algae, seaweeds, sea grasses, and other marine plants
depend on the amount of sunlight that they receive in the estuaries.

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 BIOTIC FACTORS IN AN INTERTIDAL ZONE AND ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEM

Biotic or living factors in an ecosystem such as intertidal zone and estuary are composed
of all plants, animals and mocroorganisms living in it. These organisms live in different habitats
found in intertidal zones and estuaries. These includes coral reefs, salt marshes, mud flats,
rocky shores and mangrove forests.
• Coral reefs are areas of estuaries which are part of the subtidal zone where biodiversity
is rich. Biodiversity refers to the abundance of different living organisms living in the
area. Coral reefs provide shelter to thousands of fish. The coral themselves are animals
that feed on plankton. These corals form reefs that protect the coast from strong waves
and currents.
• Salt marshes are areas in the estuary that are filled with seawater during high tides and
are drained during low tides. The changing levels of waters in the coastal areas is referred
as tides. Salt marshes are marshy because they are filled with decomposing plant
matter. Organisms found in salt marshes are clams, mussels, oysters, crabs, snails and
shrimps. Plants found in salt marshes are sea grasses and other plants that are tolerant to
saltwater.
• Mud flats or tidal flats are areas in estuaries where mud from the seas or rivers is
deposited. They are usually the area for migratory birds, crabs, sand dollars, mussels,
clams, mollusks, shellfish, and some fish. Algae, like sea lettuce and sea spaghetti, provide
food for the herbivores in this area.
• Rocky shores are areas in estuaries where solid rocks are found. Animals found in the
rocky shores are plankton, brittle stars, starfish, hermit crab, barnacles, limpets, mollusks,
periwinkle, shore crabs, shrimps, and prawns. Large predators in the rocky shores are fish
and migratory birds.
• Mangrove forests are areas in the estuary that are filled with mangrove trees. These trees
have adapted to saltwater. These areas are breeding grounds for different kinds of fish and
shellfish. Other organisms found in the mangrove ecosystems are algae, barnacles,
oysters, shrimps, lobsters, and crabs.

What’s More
Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct answer. Choose the correct answer from the word pool
inside the box.

1. Salt marshes are areas in estuaries that are filled with seawater during ____________ and are drained
during __________.
2. Mud flats are areas in estuaries where __________ is deposited from the seas or rivers.
3. Mangrove forests are areas in estuaries that are filled with ________.
4. ___________ are areas in estuaries where solid rocks are formed.

Rocky shores low tide biodiversity

high tide mud Mangrove tree

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 Assessment

Directions: Read and answer the questions carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer.
Write the answer on your answer sheet.

1. It is the place near the coast where sea water and fresh water mixes and is called “nurseries
of the seas”.
A. Intertidal zone C. Mangrove forest
B. Estuaries D. Marshes
2. This place is exposed to air during low tide and submerged or covered with water during
high tide.
A. Intertidal zone C. Mangrove forest
B. Estuaries D. Marshes
3. ______ are areas in estuaries where solid rocks are found.
A. Seashore C. Sandy shores
B. Beaches D. Rocky shores
4. Mud flats are areas in estuaries where _______ is deposited from the seas or rivers.
A. tides C. saltwater
B. mud D. corals
5. _______ refers to the abundance of different living organisms living in an area.

A. Ecosystem C. Biodiversity
B. Population D. Relationship
6. The following are animals found in Rocky shores except______.
A. Prawn C. Star fish
B. Shrimp D. Algae
7. Algae, like sea lettuce and sea spaghetti provide food for the hervibores found in _____.
A. Rocky shores C. Mud flats
B. Mangrove forest D. Salt marshes
8. Which of the following animals does not belong to the Salt marshes?
A. Brittle star C. Mussles
B. Clams D. Oysters

References
Arradaza, Harold A., Ednaliza R. Garcia, Eliza A. Lopez, and Evelyn T. Sarte. Science Beyond Borders.
Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc., 2016.
Sarte, Evelyn T, Eliza A. Lopez, Mary Jean G Dela Cruz, Harold A. Arradaza, and E Ednaliza
R. Garcia. 2016. Science Beyod Borders Teachers Manual. Quezon City: Vibal Group
Inc.

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 ANSWER SHEET
Science 5 Quarter 2

Name: _______________ Grade & Section: __________ Score: ______

MODULE 6

What’s More:
1.

2.

3.

4.

Assessment:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

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 Answer Key

What’s More
1. High tide, low tide
2. mud
3. mangrove trees
4. Rocky shores

Assessment
1. B
2. A
3. D
4. B
5. C
6. D
7. C
8. A