Part of Hall of Ocean Life.
The majority of organisms in the ocean are tiny invertebrates, protists, and algae. Although the ocean is vast in size, living space for these small organisms is limited to coastal areas and to surface waters where light penetrates—areas where food is plentiful and where there are surfaces on which to fasten and grow. Barnacles and bryozoa, for example, survive by attaching themselves to something larger, and then filter food from the water as it washes over them. Some organisms will find homes on larger moving animals, such as horseshoe crabs and whales. Still others may attach themselves to rocks, the pylons of a dock, or on seaweed.
Have you ever noticed the "necklace" of marine remnants left along the seashore at low tide? With careful observation this assortment of shells and algae, like jewels on a necklace, can reveal a wealth of tiny marine creatures.
In this activity students will collect and closely observe specimens that have washed ashore to recognize different kinds of small ocean organisms. Some organisms will leave parts of their bodies behind, such as shells, while others may leave behind clues such as holes.
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