Supralittoral
The supralittoral zone is located above the spring tide mean level (high tide) (coefficient of tide between 90 and 105), and is covered by seawater during equinox tides only. The highest levels are only dampened by spray or the highest waves during gales. They ensure transition between marine and land environments; In this zone, specific diversity is poor.
Hard substrates are colonized by lichens that form belts of varied colours: fauna being represented only by mobile species, such as Littorina neritoides (gastropod mollusc) and Ligia oceanica (isopod shellfish).
On sea floors in bays and estuaries, soft substrates are sometimes colonized by saltwort (Salicornia) (left picture) and Spartina (right picture). On beaches exposed to winds, fauna is mainly limited to sand hoppers.
Rebent Overview
REBENT presentation
