Sandy Beaches
Table of Contents

I. Beach Structure and Formation

II. Overview of Beach Meiofauna and Macrofauna

III. Zonation of Beach Macrofauna

A. Upper zone

1. Environmental influences
2. Dominant Species: Talitrid amphipods, Insects & kin, Oligochaetes

B. Mid zone

1. Environmental influences
2. Dominant Species: Excirolana spp.

C. Swash zone

1. Environmental influences
2. Dominant Species: Sand crab, Archaeomysis, Nephtys

D. Low intertidal zone

1. Environmental influences
2. Dominant Species: Pismo Clam, Spiny Mole Crab, other fauna

E. Transient organisms

1. Environmental influences
2. Dominant Species: Sand dollar, Vellela

IV. Selected Sandy Beach Resources