Zoning The Shore

A beach does is not a homogenous ecosystem as the elements affect areas of the beach to differing degrees. Tide heights vary depending on the lunar cycle so sections of the beach will be uncovered more by the tides than others. This leaves some habitats open more to desiccation and will have a bearing on what lives there. The difference in the shorelife that can be found between these differing areas, are pronounced and it is convention to divide the beach into five zones.

Supralittoral Fringe

The supralittoral fringe lies between the highest spring tide mark and the average spring tide level. This zone is not usually covered by water. The supralittoral fringe also includes the area splashed or reached by the spray i.e. the splash zone.

Littorial Zone

The littorial or the intertidal area comprises the majority of the beach and itself is split into three zones.

1.	Upper littoral zone ranges from the average spring tide level to the high water level of neap tides.

2.	Mid littoral zone ranges from the upper littoral zone to the lowest high tide level of the lowest neap tide.

3.	Lower littoral zone ranges from the mid littoral zone to the average low tide level of all the tides.

Sublittoral Fringe

The sublittorial fringe lies between the lower littoral zone and the lowest spring tide level. This zone is usually covered by water and only at the lowest tides is it uncovered.

The zoning of beaches does appear convoluted however it is important as on many beaches these zones are very distinct. Zoning can be easily seen on rocky beaches, this is not so for sandy beaches.

Zoning The Beach