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Analyzing Interspecific Relations Between Species Found On The Rocky Shore

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When visiting Te Raekaihou Point on the New Zealand Rocky Shore, our intent was to analyse interspecific relations between species found on the Rocky Shore and to investigate a pattern in the ecological community. Samples were taken using transect lines and quadrats, and observations were made both in terms of a site profile, as well as making measurements such as Salinity, pH of the Water, Air Temperature, Water Temperature and Light Intensity. The two species I have chosen to investigate the relationship between were the Ornate Limpet (Cellana Ornata) and the Black Nerite (Nerita Melanotragus). he main abiotic factors were Tidal Movement and the Substrate on the shore.

The community pattern analysed was Zonation. This is shown in the Kite Diagram created from the class-set of data, where there are distinct bands of species along the intertidal zone. The Rocky Shore Habitat is tidal, being on the coast of New Zealand, at Te Raekaihou Point, there were several rock pools, as well as a large amount of bare rock. The intertidal zone and exposure to air in this zone were important as several species living in this zone rely on the water to avoid desiccation, this is why crevices and rock pools were a key factor in the zonation and distribution of species on the Rocky Shore.

Ornate Limpet (Cellana Ornata)
The Ornate Limpet is a grazing shellfish, and can generally be found from the mid to high tide region, as is seen on the Kite Diagram (Appendix A), there were larger numbers

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