Sandy-shore habitats are areas of sand exposed between the extreme high tide and extreme low tide marks. They form through the deposition of sand resulting from the erosion of glacial till and nearby bedrock. Tidal movements and the mobility of the sand substrate produce a dynamic habitat that limits the diversity and abundance of flora and fauna species. But because of the on-shore movement of sand, it is possible to find shells of species that live farther offshore.

There is usually seasonal variation in the distribution of sand on the shore, due to wind and wave action. The best sandy shores are along the Atlantic and Northumberland Strait coasts and the Minas Basin.

This Document Includes:

Formation
Physical Aspects
Ecosystem
Plants
Animals
Special Features
Distribution in Nova Scotia

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Additional Keywords:
algae, diatoms, phytoplankton, Ulva, Enteromorpha, Cord Grass, Glasswort, Sea-rocket, polychaete worms, molluscs, isopod, amphipod crustaceans, flies, beetles, bivalves, mud snails, mussels, barnacles, sandpipers, plovers, Flounders

Associated Topics:

T6.1 Ocean Currents
T6.2 Oceanic Environments
T7.1 Modifying Forces
T7.2 Coastal Environments
T7.3 Coastal Landforms
T10.5 Seed-bearing Plants
T10.9 Algae
T11.6 Shorebirds and Other Birds of Coastal Wetlands
T11.17 Marine Invertebrates

Associated Habitats:

H1.1 Open Water
H1.2 Benthic
H2.1 Rocky Shore
H2.2 Boulder/Cobble Shore
H2.4 Mud Flat
H2.5 Tidal Marsh
H2.6 Dune System