Shoreline Habitat Classification

Estuarine, intertidal, bedrock, partly enclosed, eulittoral

Rocky intertidal areas in estuarine waters occur occasionally in the Puget Sound; some could be classified as artificial substrata (riprap), while some are classified separately as hardpan.  'Partly enclosed' sites are in embayments with relatively low waves or currents, so that silt may settle on the rock and reduce settlement or survival of small algae and filter-feeders.  The plants and animals seen on these rocky substrata are largely a freshwater-tolerant subset of those seen on protected marine shores. These habitats are used at high tide by sculpins and probably other fishes. 

Class ID
50
Class name
Estuarine, intertidal, bedrock, partly enclosed, eulittoral
Length
86.00
Primary substrate
Bedrock
Secondary substrate
Boulders
Tertiary substrate
Gravel
Substrate stability
Stable
Substrate key details
No mobile sediment
Wave exposure
Semi-protected
Blue book classes
Estuarine intertidal bedrock: Open
Map/survey site examples
Breakwaters and occasional bedrock in Puget Sound; inner bedrock areas in San Juans (eg inside East Sound)
Diagnostic species
Fucus distichus
Littorina
Balanus glandula
Mytilus trossulus
Mopalia
Sargassum muticum
Leptasterias hexactis
Clinocottus globiceps
Oligocottus maculosus
Gobiesox maeandricus
Oligocottus snyderi
Clinocottus acuticeps
Habitat classification system