Shoreline Habitat Classification

Marine, intertidal, cobble, partially exposed, eulittoral

Cobbles in partially wave-exposed areas are unstable, suffering frequent overturning by waves, and also are hybrid environments because cobbles are virtually always mixed with, or overlie, other substrata. Beaches visually dominated by cobbles, rather than being a clear mix of substrate types, are put into this category, but often have at least some underlying sand. Cobble habitats in moderately to highly wave-exposed areas are generally species-poor because of this high disturbance. The organisms characteristic of this habitat are those that can hide just under the cobbles and move quickly or resist being crushed when cobbles are rolling, such as shore crabs, amphipods, and isopods. Beaches with sand beneath the cobbles contain some infauna that can bury more deeply during storms, such as certain clams.

Class ID
14
Class name
Marine, intertidal, cobble, partially exposed, eulittoral
Length
8.00
Primary substrate
Cobble
Secondary substrate
Sand
Substrate stability
Mobile
Substrate key details
Sand under (unstable) cobbles at some sites
Wave exposure
Semi-exposed
Blue book classes
Marine intertidal cobble: Partially exposed
Map/survey site examples
Partridge Point, Slip Point, North Beach, Morse Creek
Diagnostic species
Hemigrapsus nudus
Macoma inquinata
Littorina
Lottia
Anoplarchus purpurescens
Gobiesox maeandricus
Oligocottus maculosus
Xiphister atropurpureus
VEC common associates
Leukoma staminea
Habitat classification system