Intertidal habitats

The area where the land meets the sea is referred to as the intertidal habitat.

In Sydney, intertidal habitats include:

• beaches
• rocky shores
• mangroves
• seagrasses
• estuaries

These dynamic environments can be harsh at times, but are home to a great diversity of wildlife. Snails, limpets, sea squirts, anemones and sea urchins are all commonly found on Sydney's rocky shores. Many fish, crabs and shrimp thrive in estuaries and sea grasses, while beaches and mangroves are host to many animals including a great diversity of worms.

As well as surviving the natural hardships associated with these environments, wildlife found in intertidal areas are under increasing pressure from land-based pollution and collection of animals for bait, food or for souvenirs.