Marine, intertidal, mixed fine, semi-protected, eulittoral

This habitat type (or its estuarine equivalent) occurs in most bays and harbors in the Pacific Northwest. Protection from waves allows finer sediments to accumulate, and the substratum is relatively stable.  The beaches tend to be accretional.  The mixed-fine sediments include sand and mud with patches of gravel (especially in the higher intertidal).  Few marine (but many estuarine) sites in this category have been surveyed.  Species are generally a mix of those found in sand and in mud habitats.  Birds and fish using these areas are described under the counterpart Estuarine habitat.  Drift algae and seagrass may be abundant.