Key Vocabulary Terms

Supratidal – also called “foredune”, upper part of the beach from the high-tide line and above

Subtidal – always underwater, beneath the lowest tide line

Seabean – seeds and fruits that come to the ocean via rivers/streams and drift along in the currents

Ecosystem - a large community of living organisms in a particular area

Gulf Stream - a current within the Atlantic ocean that originates in Mexico, travels around Florida, up the east coast of the US and crosses over the Atlantic

Intertidal – the zone exposed during low tide but covered during high tide

Observation - act of noticing something or watching something

Native species: Species of plants or animals that occur naturally in an area (indigenous species).

Today we talked about three zones of beach! Supratidal, Intertidal, and Subtidal.

Supratidal – also called “foredune”, upper part of the beach from the high-tide line and above

Intertidal – the zone exposed during low tide but covered during high tide

Subtidal – always underwater, beneath the lowest tide line

PHOTO CREDIT: Witherington, B. E., & Witherington, D. (2017). Florida's Living Beaches: A Guide for the Curious Beachcomber (Second). Sarasota, FL:

False, when observing something on the beach, you should only use the senses that it is safe to use! You never want to touch or taste something like a jellyfish or crab, and you should never try to handle a wild animal.

Some things that you might find on the beach than you want to OBSERVE but never touch include jellyfish (like the image below), living animals, and sea turtle eggs or hatchlings! You can collect seashells - but always remember to check and see if there is anything living inside before you take it!