Shoreline Habitat Classification
Marine, intertidal, mixed coarse, exposed, eulittoral
Mixed-coarse sediments are those where no one grain size occupies more than 70 percent of a stretch of beach. Instead, the beach is a mix (in variable quantities) of a few boulders, with cobble, gravel, and sand. Few such sites exist in highly wave-exposed areas because waves tend to 'sort' substrate types; this habitat type is much more common where sea stacks or other features reduce the wave energy reaching the shore. Drift algae may accumulate in these habitats, providing food and habitat for a variety of small organisms.
Class ID
17
Class name
Marine, intertidal, mixed coarse, exposed, eulittoral
Length
30.00
Primary substrate
Gravel
Secondary substrate
Sand
Tertiary substrate
Cobble
Substrate stability
Semi-stable surface features
Substrate key details
Cobble, pebble, sand (some stable surface features)
Wave exposure
Exposed, Semi-exposed
Blue book classes
[No class in 1990 publication]
Map/survey site examples
Outer coast of Washington only (e.g., near Shi Shi beach)
Habitat classification system
Type
Map link