rockpool

A rockpool is a small pool of seawater that forms among rocks or in hollows in the shore. These temporary habitats are found along coastlines, particularly in areas with rocky shores, and are exposed at low tide. Rockpools are dynamic environments, with their conditions changing significantly between high and low tides.

The composition of a rockpool's water is influenced by the surrounding sea, but it can also become concentrated or diluted by rainwater or evaporation. Salinity, temperature, and oxygen levels can fluctuate, creating unique challenges and opportunities for the organisms that live within them. Despite their small size, rockpools are teeming with life.

Common inhabitants include a variety of marine invertebrates such as small crabs, shrimp, sea anemones, starfish, mussels, and limpets. Small fish, often species that are mobile and can move between pools and the open sea, are also frequently found. Algae and seaweed often grow in and around rockpools, providing food and shelter for the resident animals.

Rockpools are important ecosystems for biodiversity and serve as miniature laboratories for studying marine life. They are also popular destinations for beachcombers and nature enthusiasts who can observe the resilient creatures adapted to these intertidal zones. The health of rockpools is often an indicator of the overall health of the coastal environment.