Tides are the periodic rising and falling of sea levels that occur in large bodies of water. They are primarily governed by the gravitational forces exerted by celestial bodies, particularly the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun, which create differential gravitational forces across the Earth. These forces create bulges of water that result in both high and low water marks. The interaction of tidal forces with the rotation of the Earth and the characteristics of the basin itself determines the complexity and amplitude of the resulting tidal pattern. Tides are critical drivers of marine ecosystems, influencing sedimentation rates, coastal erosion, and the breeding cycles of many marine species.