The intertidal area is the part of the foreshore that is exposed during low tide, but covered at high tide. This is an extreme ecosystem due to the constant changes, including fluctuations in salinity, dessication and temperature. Intertidal ecologists study the interactions between intertidal organisms and their environment.

Intertidal ecology studies can include biological and sediment data. Offshore industries that interact with the shoreline, such as for cable and pipeline landfall sites, will collect data on intertidal ecosystems to assess the impact of constructing structures on the intertidal environment.

Intertidal ecology data can be used evaluate and monitor the impact of activities on the local ecosystem.