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Marine Reserve Habitats

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There are different types of marine habitats. A range of marine species live in these habitats.

The importance of protecting a range of New Zealand marine habitats

There are a wide variety of marine habitats in New Zealand. They are home to lots of different species. It is important to protect a range of marine habitats. Doing so makes a network of marine reserves that show this natural diversity.

Marine reserve habitats in New Zealand

Marine reserve habitats in New Zealand include:

  • sandy shores and beaches
  • rocky reefs
  • rocky shores
  • open ocean
  • deep ocean
  • fiords
  • estuaries

Rocky shore/reef habitat

You will find rock pools and reefs on the rocky shore. Water covers this habitat at high tide. When the tide goes out it uncovers the reefs. Living things on the rocky shore must be able to cope with changing waves, tides and weather patterns.

Sandy shore beaches

Sandy shores and beaches are areas of sand that cover an area of coast. Animals living here can live in or on the sand. Some animals of the sandy shore can burrow into the sand to avoid threats like waves and predators (e.g. crabs, shellfish, shrimps and urchins).

Birds often feed on sandy shores and beaches. Many also nest in the sand and dunes on beaches.

Zones of the rocky and sandy shore

The intertidal zone

This area is between the high-tide mark and the low-tide mark. At high tide, water covers this habitat. Low tide exposes this zone. Living things in this habitat must be able to cope with changing water conditions. This zone is light-filled: there are plants and algae that photosynthesise. Animals have plenty of hiding places in this zone.

The subtidal zone

Water always covers this zone. It is the area from the low-tide mark to the open ocean. There can be lots of waves and water movement in this zone. Animals living here need to be good swimmers or be able to hold on.

Open ocean or oceanic zone

The open ocean goes out from the edge of the subtidal zone. Open ocean only includes water to a depth that light reaches; it is called the ‘photic zone’. 

The open ocean habitat is home to big predators such as tuna, marlin, sharks. It is also home to large migratory species like humpback whales and sea turtles. Zooplankton are an important part of the food chain in the open ocean.

Deep sea

Deep sea habitat is below the open ocean. There is not much light in this area. Living things found in the deep water must live in dark conditions. Deep-sea fish can look very strange. Some have big eyes to capture as much light as possible. Their skin is usually red or black, and some have huge mouths.

Other important marine habitats in New Zealand

Fiords

Fiords are inlets of sea that glaciers carved out over a long time. Fiordland is home to many fiords and has a network of marine reserves. These special habitats are some of the more pristine and isolated areas in New Zealand.

Antarctica

New Zealand also looks after some of Antarctica. It includes marine protected areas such as the Ross Sea.

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Check out Marine Reserve Habitats of New Zealand from DOC's Protecting our Marine Reserve education resource for activities to do before and after the field trip.

There are a wide variety of marine habitats in New Zealand that are home to lots of different species. Image: DOC.

Sandy shores and beaches are areas of sand that cover an area of coast. Image: V Zintzen, DOC.

A rocky reef in the subtidal zone, at Poor Knights Island marine reserve. Image: V Zintzen, DOC.

A rocky or sandy shore of the intertidal zone is exposed at low tide. What adaptations might animals and plants need to be able to live here? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

There are often rock pools on the rocky shore at low tide. What might you find living here? Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

Some New Zealand marine reserves include areas of open ocean, such as the Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve. Image: Andrew penny, LEARNZ.

Fiords are another important marine habitat for New Zealand. Fiordland is home to many fiords and has a network of marine reserves. Image: Shelley Hersey, LEARNZ.

The dark freshwater layer in Fiords doesn’t all mix with the marine layer. Instead it sits on top, blocking out light further below. This means species adapted to low light conditions are present near the surface, such as this black coral. Image: V Zintzen, DOC.

Estuaries support a large quantity and range of species. Their accessibility makes them a good option for marine based citizen science projects. Image: Andrew Penny, LEARNZ.

New Zealand is also responsible for some of Antarctica. It includes marine protected areas such as the Ross Sea. Image: Shelley Hersey, LEARNZ.

«Previous
Marine Reserves Defined
Contents: Easy
Next»
Introducing Marine Ecosystems
Standard Version
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