Table A-9.  Habitat Class definitions                                                           *shaded boxes in the Habitat Class matrix are not applicable in most regions

Habitat Class is a summary classification that combines both physical and biological characteristics observed for a particular shoreline unit.
Habitat Class Examples

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

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