Station 1: Oyster Bar Community

Differences in the physical and chemical conditions of the estuary including the depth, tidal current, salinity, sedimentation, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient levels, create different habitats in the estuary. In this station, students will investigate one particular kind of habitat: the oyster bar community.

 The oyster bar is an example of a bottom community and animals that live at the bottom are called benthic organisms. At this station, students will sort through an oyster bar to see the benthic organisms, such as small crabs, clams, worms, barnacles, anemones, and amphipods, which live beneath and among the oysters.

Objectives:

At this station, students will learn to:

• Define the terms habitat and community.
• List the conditions for top-dwelling and bottom-dwelling organisms and explain their differences.
• Identify animals associated with the oyster bar community.