SOLAR ENERGY : The Effect on organisms of the Abiotic Factor of Solar Energy
							Sea lions rafting while exposing fins or tail for heat exchange and thermoregulation Cormorant thermoregulating while drying wings.
				Effects of Solar energy on organisms at Race Rocks: 1. The following example is on the drying effect of temperature on intertidal organisms. Here you can see a video of the biotic effects of temperature from increasing sunlight levels in the spring . Similar to all rocky intertidal dwelling species Halosaccion glandiforme is fully adapted to survive the dynamic conditions present in this ecosystem. The upper limits of the intertidal zone are subject to temperature fluctuations and other abiotic terrestrial environmental factors such as air movement and fresh water that effect growth.  Water retention enables certain species to survive for longer periods of time out of the water and therefore higher in the intertidal zone.  The effects of exposure on seaweeds has been studied by Kanwisher (Kanwisher, J, 1957).  In his article “Freezing and drying in intertidal algae” he measures water loss in certain algal species of the intertidal area.  A brown alga Fucus vesiculosus was recorded as having lost 91% of its moisture to evaporation from solar heat.  In laboratory work performed he found that this level of evaporation would occur in a period of about an hour and half.  Similarly Enteromorpha linza demonstrated an 84 percent loss of water and Ulva lactuca a 77 percent loss of water when subject to terrestrial conditions.  It is likely that the structure of Halosaccion glandiforme, being a water retentive sac, permits for lengthier exposure time with a higher level of water retention. This has been taken from: - http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/research/eealex/ecology_halosaccion.htm The following are other ideas to be developed here: 2. The effects of temperature from solar exposure on the tidepools . 3. The land plants that are adapted for drought , heat, salt spray - eg thick cuticles of Romanzoffia tracyi 4. Algal zonation as a result of light penetration The vertical distribution of subtidal organisms is largely dependent upon illumination. Most of the green and brown algae are restricted to situations within 15 feet of the lowest tide level, whereas certain red algae may be found down to 50 feet depth. Animals which graze upon the green and brown algae only will thus be found only near the surface. The deeper-living species of invertebrates are primarily filter-feeders, predators or scavengers, rather than grazers.2nd article 5. Effect of light penetration on predation in the ocean Water clarity in Juan de Fuca Strait is a seasonally dependent phenomenon, being largely determined by the phytoplankton content of the water. Thus, in the winter low phytoplankton populations result in clear water, except in the aftermath of storms. In summer, on the other hand, underwater visibility is greatly reduced as the phytoplankton population increases. There are no large streams or rivers near the proposed park site, so there is no significant turbidity due to freshwater run-off. second article under "drying effect on intertidal organisms" http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/RREO/rreoref2/juanmarpark/juanmarpark.htm 6. Primary Productivity of plankton and algae in the tidepools 7. Differential heat absorbtion of colors. 8. The problems of nesting for animals without shade: eg gulls - panting in video 9. C4 and CAM adaptation for xerophytic conditions eg stone crop, plaintain 10. Microniches and temperature availability - eg sea slater isopod video http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/RREO/rreoref2/juanmarpark/juanmarpark.htm Aldridge Point (Figure 1) is a rocky outcrop with a small cove on the north side. The cove has a gravel beach and is bounded by the terrestial vegetation, comprised of arbutus, Douglas fir, salal and pine. The rocky area is composed of bedrock with many smooth vertical faces, dissected by numerous cracks and crevices. There are also large boulders piled one on top of the other down to the low tide level. Many of these boulders are up to 4 feet in diameter. A detailed species list for this area is presented in Appendix 2. In summary, the intertidal area shows the species that are characteristic of moderately wave exposed areas of southern Vancouver Island. The flat rock faces of the upper intertidal are sparsely populated by barnacles, lichens and algae (Porphyra and Fucus distichus).The numerous cracks and crevices harbour snails', crabs and limpets, while tidepools are inhabited by anemones, mussels, limpets, snails, hermit crabs and coralline algae. The rocky shores throughout the proposed park area are generally smooth, steeply sloping and dissected by numerous cracks and crevices. The topography and substratum of a shore influences the gradient of conditions on the shore by variations in the water-retaining capacity. As the tide recedes, the intertidal areas start to dry out. The rate of drying depends, firstly, upon the slope of the shore, with steeply sloping rock faces draining more rapidly than undulating platforms or shallow slopes. Cracks and crevices provide micro-environments in which the rate of drainage, and the drying effects of sun and wind are greatly reduced, and permit colonization to higher levels on the shore than occurs on the open rock faces in the same location. This "uplift" of the intertidal zonation may be noted in cracks and crevices throughout the proposed park area. 11. Adaptations of marine animals to low ight intensities For example, thie female elephant seal has very big eyes See the elephant seal file in the Taxonomy. Click on image for enlaregment 12. Temperature regulation - flippers being held by sea lions and the wings being held out by cormorants and gulls.( see photograph s at the beginning of this file.) 13. Fog as a product of solar energy and the resulting effect on visibility for organisms. eg: .feeding,mating, migration. 14. The sun contributes to tides which have a big effect on organisms
				15. The illumination of the earth changes with the tilt of the planet . The result is seasons. Seasons have a great impact on organisms. On Dec 22nd it can be noted that it was still sunlight in the Western part of Alaska and in California when it was already dark here at Race Rocks. From the GOES Satellite we can see the limit of the sunlight in Northern Canada on the 22 of December 2005. These images are taken from satellite images from the Satellite file
				The solar energy measurement in real time and the solar measurement archives page. The SOLAR ENERGY component of the Integrated Energy Project at Race Rocks. Alternate Energy: Solar- -A curriculum resource
				Effects of Ultraviolet energy on organisms at Race Rocks:
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