Distinct zonation patters are most apparent on vertical faces of rocky shorelines. Zonation patterns in
other areas will vary depending on geographic location, tidal rangers and degree of exposure. Beach
Watchers record general categories of plants and animals from the splash (highest tide) zone to the lower
low tide zone, and density of individual plant and animal species in the mid – lower tidal zones (plus one
foot, zero foot, and minus one foot tide heights). In the lower tide zones, we establish lines (“transects”)
parallel to the water’s edge. Along each line, we place three quarter-meter (50 cm x 50 cm) quadrats.
Within each quadrat we record density or percent cover of live plant or animal species.