(5) How is the intertidal ecosystem similar to deserts? In what ways do they differ? Be sure to discuss both the physical conditions and adaptations organisms possess to live in each ecosystem.

A. The similarity of these two ecosystems is the harsh living conditions. The temperature in both places might become either really high or really low.
The biggest difference between these two biomes is the water resources. Deserts receive little precipitation annually, thus organisms living there have to know how to conserve water in order to survive.
However, when not being exposed to the air at low tide, the intertidal zone is underwater; this zone also gets a decent amount of fresh water from precipitation. Organisms living here do not have to conserve waters. They are able to adapt to both environments – terrestrial and aquatic.

B. Both intertidal and deserts have extremes. Intertidal has long period of drought and long period of flood. Desert is hot during the day and cold during the night. Desert differs in that they rarely have rain. Intertidal has lots of water but at different times. Intertidal organisms have to control the water in their body because low tide they need to retain water and high tide they need to release water. In the desert organism are always trying to reduce water loss and try to keep cool. (give examples when discussing the physical condition and adaptation of organisms in both places)

C.Intertidal landscapes are similar to desert landscaped because fresh water is scarce in both ecosystems. They differ. Deserts have a lack of water because the wind has removed the moisture from the air. Intertidal ecosystems have a lack of water because the fresh water is tainted with salt. In a intertidal zones animals have evolved to produce a shell to keep water in while it is low tides. In the desert animals have adapted to have light colored hair to keep the harshness of the sun away from their skin. In the ocean Animals have kidneys that keep more fresh water and exposes of salt. In the desert some animals have learned to metabolize their own fresh water.

D.Intertidal zone is an environment of extremes. The intertidal zone undergoes dramatic shifts in environmental conditions with the daily patterns of inundation and exposure. Desserts also deal with extremes environment. They different in temperature.

E.Intertidal zones are exposed to direct sunlight(wide temperature fluctuation), intense solar radiation, and desication during certain times of the day just like in the desert. Animals adapt to surviving during those few hours inside the tidepools just like how desert animals survive through intense heat. Both undergo dramatic shifts in environmental conditions with daily patterns of inundation and exposure. The temp underneath the sand remains constant throughout the year but for the intertidal organisms, the water can reach to 38°C and drop to 10°C in a few hours.