Shoreline Habitat Classification

Marine, intertidal, bedrock, exposed, eulittoral

Bedrock habitats exposed to the full range of wave energies are found on the outer coast and at the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  Rock types range from soft sandstones to conglomerates to hard metamorphic and igneous types. Little is known of how community type varies with rock type.  Communities of exposed rocky coasts are dominated by toughly constructed sessile plants and animals, and are usually distinctly zoned from the upper rocks reached by spray to the lowest levels.  Low zones are usually algal-dominated.  The three-dimensional aspect provided by the large algae and invertebrates contribute to the great spatial complexity and species diversity. Productivity and biomass are high. Sites undisturbed by humans often are used by black oystercatchers and harbor seals. Some rocky areas are impacted by sand scour from adjacent sand beaches; these have a unique complement of species adapted to this disturbance, including unusual algal species, surfgrass, anemones, and tube worms.

Class ID
1
Class name
Marine, intertidal, bedrock, exposed, eulittoral
Length
72.00
Primary substrate
Bedrock
Secondary substrate
Boulder
Substrate stability
Stable
Substrate key details
No sediment except sand scour at some sites
Wave exposure
Exposed
Blue book classes
Marine intertidal rock: Exposed; and Exposed: sand-scoured (mouth of Straits only)
Map/survey site examples
Cape Flattery and other sites all outside 'Puget Sound'
Diagnostic species
Mytilus californianus
Pollicipes polymerus
Saccharina
Pisaster ochraceus
Anthopleura xanthogrammica
Balanidae
Lottia
Oligocottus maculosus
Clinocottus embryum
Clinocottus globiceps
VEC common associates
Phyllospadix
Haematopus
Habitat classification system
Related images
Overview of class 1
Example of class 1 at Cape Flattery
Cape Flattery, Washington. Courtesy NOAA Sanctuaries Collection
Aerial satellite image of shore type 1 at Cape Flattery