Biological features Biological features Geological history and present-day abiotic processes have created and are creating our coast. The physical processes such as salinity, currents, temperature, or the availability of freshwater make these areas very rich in animal and plant life. Over 200,000 different plants and animals live in the ocean. In the coastal zone organisms have adapted to different sets of conditions. Although each ecosystem has unique plants and animals living there, some species, like plankton, are common to all ecosystems in varying degrees.
Animals adapt to an area where they find appropriate food, water, shelter, and space.
In order to live there, they must adapt to abiotic factors, such as temperature, light, and waves, and biotic factors such as predation. Their chances of survival increase the more adapted they are. Key adaptations might include how they move, feed, defend themselves, and reproduce. They include seaweed, clams, worms, mussels, crabs. Epibenthic organisms, such as crabs and seaweed, live on the bottom either attached or free-moving.