Global ecosystem typology

Alternative site for the Global ecosystem typology with additional information for ecosystem profiles and indicative maps.

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MT1.4 Boulder and cobble shores

Biome: MT1. Shorelines biome

Contributors:
(texts)

Cobbled and boulder shores are exposed to wave action and tides, and are periodically restructured by high-energy storm events. Drift seaweed and local algae support communities of organisms adapted to regular disturbance and grinding of rocks and cobbles, as well as the high temperatures and desiccation common to all shorelines. For example, many live largely below the surface layers. Stability of the substrate, and hence the biota, depends on the size of the cobbles and boulders. Some encrusting species or algae like cordgrass can stabilise these shores and allow a wider range of plants and animals to establish.

Key Features

Unstable intertidal hard substrate, that supports encrusting and fouling species at low elevations and in some instances vegetation, though largely dependent on allocthonous production.

Overview of distribution

High-latitude shorelines receiving cobbles from rivers, glaciers or erosion of cliffs.

Profile versions

  • v1.0 (2020-01-20): MJ Bishop; DA Keith
  • v2.0 (2020-07-31): MJ Bishop; SL McSweeney; AH Altieri; DA Keith
  • v2.01 ():
  • v2.1 (2022-04-06): MJ Bishop; SL McSweeney; AH Altieri; DA Keith Full profile available at official site

Main references

Selected references for this functional group:

  • Altieri AH, Silliman BR, Bertness MD (2007) Hierarchical organization via a facilitation cascade in intertidal cordgrass bed communities The American Naturalist 169: 195-206 DOI:10.1086/510603

  • Scott GAM (1963) The ecology of shingle beach plants Journal of Ecology 51: 517-527 DOI:10.2307/2257745

Diagrammatic assembly model

Diagrammatic assembly model of MT1.4 Boulder and cobble shores. See general notes on diagrams. Open image full size.

Maps

Maps are indicative of global distribution patterns are not intended to represent fine-scale patterns. The maps show areas of the world containing major (coloured red) or minor occurrences (coloured yellow) of each ecosystem functional group. See general notes on maps.

There are 2 alternative versions of the indicative map for this functional group, please compare description and sources below.

MT1.4.IM.grid_v2.0

Datasets

  • MEOW-2008

Map references

  • Spalding MD, Fox HE, Allen GR, Davidson N, Ferdaña ZA, Finlayson M, Halpern BS, Jorge MA, Lombana A, Lourie SA, Martin KD, McManus E, Molnar J, Recchia CA, Robertson J (2007) Marine ecoregions of the world: a bioregionalization of coastal and shelf areas. Bioscience 57: 573–583. DOI:10.1641/B570707

MT1.4.web.map_v1.0

Marine ecoregions (Spalding et al. 2008) containing rocky shorelines and boulder and cobble shorelines, respectively, were identified by consulting regional substrate maps, imagery available in Google Earth (to exclude ecoregions with extensive sandy or muddy shores) and expertise of authors, proofed by specialist reviewers. Open image full size.

Datasets

  • MEOW-2008

Map references

  • Spalding MD, Fox HE, Allen GR, Davidson N, Ferdaña ZA, Finlayson M, Halpern BS, Jorge MA, Lombana A, Lourie SA, Martin KD, McManus E, Molnar J, Recchia CA, Robertson J (2007) Marine ecoregions of the world: a bioregionalization of coastal and shelf areas. Bioscience 57: 573–583. DOI:10.1641/B570707

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