Strand line of Rhodophytes (red algae)

Today there is a strong swell from the North East on Taylor beach which has deposited a good sample of the diversity of the algae that live in the subtidal zone just  below the low-tide level.

gingeronstrasndline2014-03-28

Taylor Beach in Parry Bay at the southern end of Vancouver Island. This beach gets winds and waves from the East in the fall, winter and spring months, but is protected by having only west winds from June to September. There is long-shore drift toward the north end of the beach  in the summer as the energy from the westerlies refract around William Head, visible in the distance on the left.

rhodophytestrand

The Red algae as they lay in the strand line showing the upper limits of the last high tide and the swell which deposited the algae.

redalgaediversity2014-03-28

The greatest biodiversity is shown in the Rhodophytes or red algae shown here picked out from the strand line within a few square metres.

redalgaeprionitis2014-03-28

A sample of the red algae, Prionitis lanceolata . which is normally found on the low intertidal of rocky shores.

alaria2014-03-28

Alaria marginata, a brown algae firmly attached by it’s holdfast which has carried a rock up onto the beach in the surf.

phaeophyte diversity

Some of the brown algae ( Phaeophyte) species in the strand line

Ecologically Sensitive Areas of Coastal Metchosin

Most of Metchosin’s shorelines could be considered as “Ecologically Sensitive” . The areas identified below however have a particularly high level of sensitivity.

ecoareas
This list does not necessarily include all ecologically sensitive areas. Arguments could be made for the complete coastline being ecologically sensitive.
1. Lagoon with shorebird habitat, sensitive dune vegetation on sand shore.

2. Coastal Islands with harbour seal haulouts

3. Harbour seal haulout

4.Coastal lagoon, migratory and resident seabird habitat.

5. Eel grass beds offshore.   Also see:
Sensitive dune vegetation on sand shore.

6. High current invertebrate community

7. Estuary, mudflat habitat for overwintering shorebirds.

8. Cormorant winter roosting colony.

9. Kelp bed for fish spawning and seabird habitat. Great blue herons often feed from the kelp

10. High current channel with harbour seal haulouts and winter feeding grounds for seabirds, some migratory. Western Grebes and Buffleheads frequent the area in winter.

11. High current area, with significant invertebrate colonies, kelp beds, a rockfish protection area, marine mammal haulout and seabird nesting and overwintering habitat.

12. Island ecosystems, swept with strong currents bearing significant invertebrate colonies.

13. Island ecosystems with significant invertebrate and kelp beds.

Return to the anthropogenic impact index
Return to the sector map index
Return to the MetchosinCoastal website Home Page