Coasts habitats

Other observations on chemical variation within Zieria can be mentioned at this point. Zieria cytisoides form b occurs along the coast of New South Wales and in similar habitats in Tasmania. Five populations concern us here, two from the former area and three from the latter. Significant differences in the concentration of the mono-terpene derivative (-)-chrysanthenone [37] were observed by Southwell and Armstrong (1987). The populations on the mainland exhibited concentrations of the ketone of 15% and 18%, whereas those in Tasmania had higher amounts, that is, 42%, 49%, and 55%. The New Caledonian Z. chevalieri was shown to exhibit an unusual profile of compounds, relative to the Australian species, with 2,4,6-trimethoxystyrene [38],... 

Glehnia, a taxon restricted to eastern Asia and western North America, consists of either two species, the Asian G. littoralis Fr. Schmidt ex Miq. and the North American G. leiocarpa Mathias, or two subspecies of G. littoralis, subsp. littoralis and subsp. leiocarpa. The Asian taxon occurs on sandy beaches of China and Japan, with the North American taxon occupying the same type of habitat from northern California to the northeastern coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia, and west to Kodiak Island (Fig. 4.9). Both taxa are diploids with n=ll. 

The chaparral is typical of the Mediterranean coasts, except Libya and Egypt. It is also foxmd in California, southern Australia, and around Cape Town. The latter isolated spot supports many micro-habitats, highly significant for plant biodiversity. 

Habitat Pastures and waysides, especially near the sea-coast. 

Habitat Grown near the sea coast in Sicily and Malta. 

Figure 4.14 Relationship ofa-HCH enantiomer ratios (ERs) in fat of adult female northern fur seals from the Japanese Pacific coast with time (A) and feeding habitat based on average stomach content (B). (Reproduced with permission from Environmental Science and Technology, Enantioselective Accumulation of a-Hexachlorocyclohexane in Northern Fur Seals and Double-Crested Cormorants Effects of Biological and Ecological Factors in the Higher Tropic Levels, by Hisato Iwata, Shinsuke Tanabe etal., 32(15), 2244-2249. Copyright (1998) American Chemical Society)...

Habitats along coasts are subjected to a variety of conditions. Some areas are always underwater, some are flooded once or twice a day, and others are rarely flooded. The fact that seawater rushes into and away from the coast creates an abundance of unique habitats there. 

Because beaches and intertidal zones are dynamic environments, the habitats they support are constantly changing. Exposed to energy of the sea and land, they are transformed on a daily, yearly, and geologic time scale. All coasts are subject to erosion, storms, and other natural forces as well as the impact of human activities. 

Most of the people at the coast do not purposefully damage the area, but the very presence of humans alters the natural environments. Some of the changes are small, and the environment can quickly recover. Vacationers exploring the sand dunes or hiking beside the marshy wetlands may tread on the plants. If foot traffic is heavy, plants that are very sensitive may die and be replaced by species that are more resistant to physical wear and tear. A change in plant life brings about a change in the structure of habitats and can eventually cause established species to disappear and new ones to show up. 

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