Final answer:
Tides create a changing environment in the intertidal zone, to which organisms have adapted with features like tough exoskeletons. The tidal movements also affect nutrient distribution which is crucial for these organisms' survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tides have a significant impact on organisms living in the tidal waters, particularly in the intertidal zone. This zone fluctuates between being submerged during high tide and exposed during low tide, creating a highly variable environment that demands special adaptations from its inhabitants. Organisms such as shoreline crustaceans, like the shore crab (Carcinus maenas), have developed tough exoskeletons to protect against desiccation and physical damage from waves. Additionally, the dynamic nature of this zone means few algae and plants can establish themselves, due to the constantly moving substrate of rocks, sand, or mud.
The formation of tides, a result of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and to a lesser extent by the Sun, produces tidal bulges in the oceans. While these forces are too small to significantly affect solid objects on Earth, they create movement in the oceans that is essential for the distribution of nutrients and food resources, impacting the overall biome. The adaptations of intertidal organisms allow them to survive not only the physical aspects of the tides but also the effects on resource availability.