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Table A-9. Habitat Class definitions *shaded boxes in the Habitat Class matrix are not applicable in most regions
Dominant Structuring Process |
Substrate Mobility |
Coastal Type |
Description |
Biological Exposure Category* |
|||||
Very Exposed VE |
Exposed E |
Semi-Exposed SE |
Semi-Protected SP |
Protected P |
Very Protected VP |
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Wave Energy |
Immobile |
Rock or Rock & Sediment or Sediment |
The epibiota in the immobile mobility categories is influenced by the wave exposure at the site. In high wave exposures, only solid bedrock shorelines will be classified as immobile". At the lowest wave exposures, even pebble/cobble beaches may show lush epibiota, indicating an immobile Habitat Class. |
10 VE_I |
20 E_I |
30 SE_I |
40 SP_I |
50 P_I |
60 VP_I |
Partially Mobile |
Rock & Sediment or Sediment |
These units describe the combination of sediment mobility observed. That is, a sediment beach that is bare in the upper half of the intertidal with biobands occurring on the lower beach would be classed as partially mobile". This pattern is seen at moderate wave exposures. Units with immobile bedrock outcrops intermingled with bare mobile sediment beaches, as can be seen at higher wave exposures, could also be classified as partially mobile". |
11 VE_P |
21 E_P |
31 SE_P |
41 SP_P |
51 P_P |
61 VP_P |
|
Mobile |
Sediment |
These categories are intended to show the bare sediment beaches", where no epibenthic macrobiota are observed. Very fine sediment may be mobile even at the lowest wave exposures, while at the highest wave exposures; large-sized boulders will be mobile and bare of epibiota. |
12 VE_M |
22 E_M |
32 SE_M |
42 SP_M |
52 P_M |
62 VP_M |
|
Fluvial/Estuarine Processes |
|
Estuary |
Units classified as the estuary" types always include salt marsh vegetation in the upper intertidal, are always associated with a freshwater stream or river and often show a delta form. Estuary units are usually in lower wave exposure categories. |
13 VE_E |
23 E_E |
33 SE_E |
43 SP_E |
53 P_E |
63 VP_E |
Current energy |
|
Current-Dominated channel |
Species assemblages observed in salt-water channels are structured by current energy rather than by wave energy. Current-dominated sites are limited in distribution and are rare habitats. |
14 VE_C |
24 E_C |
34 SE_C |
44 SP_C |
54 P_C |
64 VP_C |
Glacial processes |
|
Glacier |
In a few places in coastal Alaska, saltwater glaciers form the intertidal habitat. These Habitat Classes are rare and include a small percentage of the shoreline length. |
15 VE_G |
25 E_G |
35 SE_G |
45 SP_G |
55 P_G |
65 VP_G |
Man-modified |
|
Anthropogenic Impermeable |
Impermeable man-made Habitats are intended to specifically note units classified as Coastal Class 33. |
16 VE_X |
26 E_X |
36 SE_X |
46 SP_X |
56 P_X |
66 VP_X |
|
Anthropogenic Permeable |
Permeable man-made Habitats are intended to specifically note shore units classified as Coastal Class 32. |
17 VE_Y |
27 E_Y |
37 SE_Y |
47 SP_Y |
57 P_Y |
67 VP_Y |
|
Lagoon |
|
Lagoon |
Units classified as Lagoons in the Secondary Habitat Class contain brackish or salty water that is contained within a basin that has limited drainage. They are often associated with wetlands and may include wetland biobands in the upper intertidal. |
18 VE_L |
28 E_L |
38 SE_L |
48 SP_L |
58 P_L |
68 VP_L |