Marine, intertidal, bedrock, partially exposed, eulittoral

Sites not directly exposed to oceanic swell but with substantial wave action are found throughout the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and on the west and south sides of the San Juan Islands and Whidbey Island. Outer coast areas with long intertidal benches or adjacent offshore islands that break the swell also fall in this category.  Wave energies are less but there is a consequent increase in desiccation stress (and perhaps other stresses) leading to somewhat lower diversities than at the most exposed sites. In Washington, low tides on the more inland waters also fall at highly stressful hours (nearer midday in the summer and midnight in the winter), contributing to lower diversities. Seals use these protected habitats as well as the exposed ones.  Similar complements of birds roost and forage here.