Shoreline Habitat Classification
Estuarine, intertidal, organic, partly enclosed, eulittoral
This category includes both protected beaches where silt settles and is typically anoxic, and a variety of marsh types, varying with intertidal elevation and salinity. Characteristic vegetation varies with these two key factors. Marsh vegetation can form just at the high water mark on beaches, along the edges of tidal sloughs, or in transitional areas between beaches and uplands and between estuarine and freshwater andenvironments. Substrata are usually organic, either peat for areas transitional between wetland and upland, or muck for areas transitional between freshwater and estuarine. Other substrata in these areas are sand (along stream channels) and clay.
Class ID
86
Class name
Estuarine, intertidal, organic, partly enclosed, eulittoral
Length
69.00
Primary substrate
Organic
Secondary substrate
Mud
Substrate stability
Stabilized by vegetation
Substrate key details
No stable surface features
Wave exposure
Protected, Very protected
Blue book classes
Estuarine intertidal mixed-fine and mud: Partly enclosed - Marsh [Nooksack, Skagit, other river mouths]
Map/survey site examples
Mouth of Nisqually and Skagit Rivers
Fish sampling sites
Skagit River delta
Diagnostic species
Carex lyngbyei
Distichlis spicata
Salicornia depressa
Triglochin maritima
Jaumea carnosa
Schoenoplectus maritimus
Cymatogaster aggregata
Leptocottus armatus
Parophrys vetulus
Platichthys stellatus
Cottus asper
Mylocheilus caurinus