Producers such as microalgae and bacteria form the basis of the food chain within mudflat regions. Bacteria and microalgae live on the surface of mudflats and they transform sulfur compounds into organic material. Sulfur compounds are found in an abundant supply within the mud. Organic particles, microalgae and bacteria are food for the snails, worms and crustaceans that live within the mudflat region. Various predators such as fish and birds devour the snails, worms and crustaceans and this feeding process is ongoing.
Respiration is another biotic process for mudflat creatures. Burrowing animals such as clams, worms and crustaceans can survive in the mud by breathing through tubes to get oxygen from the surface. Fish need to be in water to breathe through their gills and may need to wait until a high tide occurs before they can enter into a mudflat. Birds that typically thrive in mud flat regions breathe through air sacs and lungs the same as any other type of winged creature. Bacteria are not equipped with lungs and the closest biotic function they perform that resembles respiration is taking in nutrients or sulfur compounds located within mudflats.
Movement is another biotic process that is shared by many living creatures. Within mudflats phytoplankton move with cilia, flagella or appendages and worms use bristles that are located on each segment of their bodies to slither across or burrow into the mud. Other animals such as crabs move with the use of their legs and fish that visit mudflat areas use their fins to move about their environment.
Mudflat animals have to reproduce in order to continue the existence of their species and creatures such as snails carry out this biotic process by mating with other snails or through the process of self-reproduction. Crustaceans lay eggs and fertilize them in order to reproduce and marine life such as fish also use eggs for reproduction. Since there is typically an abundance of food within mudflat regions, reproduction is a biotic process that continues to keep species available within these unusual areas of the world.
