Intertidal Zone: Sand Shores

Sand shoreline habitats are usually found in shallow bays and along open coastline, where the pull of the tide and currents prevent silt from depositing. Sand particles range from fine to course, and there may also be exposed rock, small amounts of mud, gravel, loose pebble and shells present. 

This type of habitat is fully covered at high tide and exposed at low tide. If the coastline is very exposed, there will be lower levels of wildlife, with sandhoppers being the most common species found. In areas where Eel Grass grows, the rate of biodiversity increases and you will find a greater number of species of invertebrates and shorebirds.

Species of interest include:

Sandhoppers 

Eel Grass

Sandling

Dunlin

Image by Kevin Langan