BULEGI BEACH
OR
FRENCH BEACH
Buleji is a Rocky beach. It’s Clear water is ideal for
snorkeling and Scuba-diving as well as surfing during Monsoon Season.
ROCKY SHORE;
A
Rocky Shore is an Inter-Tidal Area
that consists of Solid Rocks.It is often a Biologically Rich Environment and
can include many different habitats types like Steep Rocky Cliffs, Platforms,
Rocky Pools and Boulder Fields. Because of continuously action of tides it is
characterized by Erosional Features.
Organisms live in this area, experience Daily Fluctuations in their
Environment.
ZONATION;
Rocky
Tides are divided into following zones.
1-
SUPRA - TIDAL ZONE;
When
the Tide retreats, the upper regions becomes exposed. The organisms that live
in this region are facing problems like Gas
Exchange, Desiccation, Temperature Changes and Feeding. This upper region is also
called “Splash Zone or Supralittoral Zone”.Organisms of this
region are Lichens, Green Algae, Cyanobacteria, Snails, Isopods, Barnacles and Limpets
etc. Snails graze on Algae.
2-
INTER
- TIDAL ZONE;
The
Inter-Tidal or Littoral Zone is the Shoreward fringe of the sea bed between the
highest and lowest limit of the tides. This zone is a transition zone between the
land and the sea, it causes Heat Stress,
Desiccation Oxygen Depletion and reduced opportunity for Feeding.
It
can be further divided into three zones.
Ø HIGH INTER - TIDAL ZONE;
This
region is only flooded during high tides. Organisms that you can find here are Anemones, Barnacles, Chitons, Crabs, Isopods, Mussels, Sea-Stars, Snails, Etc.
Ø MID LITTORAL ZONE;
This
is a turbulent zone that is covered twice a day. Common organisms are Snails, Sponges, Sea-Stars, Barnacles, Mussels, Sea-Palms, Crabs, Etc.
Ø LOWER LITTORAL ZONE;
This
region is usually covered with water. It is only uncovered when the tide is
extremely low. The Common organisms are Brown
Sea-Weeds, Crabs, Hydroids, Mussels, Sea-Cucumbers, Sea-Lettuce, Sea-Urchins, Shrimps, Snails, Tube-Worms, Etc.
3-
TIDAL
POOLS;
They
are Rocky Pools in the Inter-Tidal Zone that are filled with Sea-Water. They
are formal by abrasion and weathering of less resistant rock and scouring of
fractures and joints in the shore platform. In low located pools, Whelks, Mussels, Sea-Urchins and
Littorina Littorea are common. Periwinkles and Littorina Rudis are found in high located pools. Other common
organisms are Flat-Worms, Rotifers, Cladocerans, Copepods, Ostracods, Barnacles, Amphipods, Isopods, Chironomid Larvae and Oligochaetes.
4-
SUB - TIDAL
ZONE;
This
zone is below the Inter-Tidal Zone and is continuously covered by water.Temperature, Water Pressure and Sunlight
Radiation remain nearly constant. Organisms do not dry out as often as
organisms are higher on the beach.
CYANOBACTERIA AT BULEJI;
Species
of Cyanobacteria were recorded from the surface sediments (Edaphic), Rock Surfaces
(Ephilithic), in Rock Pool and Open Sea-Water. The Inter-Tidal Communities of Cyanobacteria
appeared to be involved in a number of Physiological and Ecological Activities.
They act as Natural Detoxicant for Oil and other Chemicals and are also A
Source for the Production of Secondary Metabolites of Ecological Significance. These
organisms help in the Energy Transformation to Higher Trophic Levels and also play
Ecologically Significant role in the Production of new Nitrogen and Carbon in
the Benthic Environment.
SIGNIFICANCE OF BULEJI;
The
Significance of this area is to study the Sea-Life because it had Biologically Rich Environment. It works
as a useful “Natural laboratory” for
studying Inter-Tidal Ecology and
other Biological Processes. Its Biota has the Ability to survive in Arid as well as in Trenched Situation due to facing Lowest Low and Highest High
Tides.
DECREASING BIO - MASS;
The
Ecology of this area is found to be Gradually Degrading that was Evident by its
decreasing Bio-Mass.
This
Coast was rich in Flora and Fauna like any other Coast of the World but due to Anthropogenic Disturbances, Higher Amount of Pollution and the Effects Of Climate Changes, Coastal Marine Bio-Diversity is under
Serious Threat.