Marine and Coastal Habitat: The Seabed: Subtidal/Sublittoral Zone
The Seabed: Subtidal/ Sublittoral Zone
The area of seabed that extends seaward from the low tide mark and is always submerged underwater, except for an area known as the subtidal fringe which is only exposed during the lowest spring tides. The subtidal zone stretches out to 200m in dept or to the edge of the continental shelf.
Subtidal habitats are primarily categorised by their seabed make-up, followed by light levels and exposure to tidal movement and waves.
- Subtidal Rock includes bedrock, accumulations of loose rock (boulders, cobbles and pebbles) and peat substrate.
- Subtidal Sediment here the seabed is made of finer particles such as sand, shingle and mud.
Habitats are then further categorised by the presence of algae and exposure to wave action and tidal movement. In the shallower light-filled waters of the Infralittoral Zone, plant-life is common. However, as the seabed descends and light levels diminish in the Circalittoral Zone, animal communities take over and plant life decreases.
Subtidal Species:
Please click on the links below to find out more about subtidal species: