Sandy habitats of the shore: Strandline

On the southern side of St. Martins much of the upper shore is fine to medium sand with a succession of strand lines comprised of washed up seaweeds, crustaceans, molluscs and debris. This habitat supports a community of sandhoppers (talitrid amphipods) who feed amongst the strandline.

Habitat classification:

LS (Littoral substrate)

LS.LSa (Littoral sand)

LS.LSa.st.Tal (Talitrids on upper shore and strandline).

Small burrows in the sand made by sandhoppers. Habitat classification: LS.LSa.st.Tal (Talitrids on upper shore and strandline).

A sandhopper (Talitridae)

A sandhopper (Talitridae)

The number of burrows suggests a high density community of sandhoppers. Bird footprints are also evident. Many bird species feed amongst the strandline and on the sandhoppers.

Turning over the crisp seaweed within the strand line reveals a damp and moist environment where amphipods and terrestrial insects occur.

Insects amongst the strandline at another location on the island where the sand is coarser.

Insects amongst the strandline at another location on the island where the sand is coarser.