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15.12: Communities on Sandy Beach Shores

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    • Contributed by Miracosta Oceanography 101
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    Communities on Sandy Beach Shores

    * Sandy Beach Intertidal Zone
    • No stable, fixed surface
    • Burrowing provides more stable environment
    • Less risk of temperature extremes and drying out

    Mussels and other invertebrastes on a beach
    Figure 15.62. Mussels on an isolated rock on a sandy beach.

    Burrowing invertebrates include: Mollusks (with a soft body, hard shell—most, not all)
    (clams and mussels most common); Worms (annelids) and Sand Crabs.

    Beach community
    Figure 15.63. Most sandy beaches appear deceivingly barren of marine life.