1.2.3.1 Benthic Estuarine

Definition: Those estuarine ecosystems consisting of organisms living on, attached to, or burrowing in the sediment of the estuary floor.

Definition Source: The Science of Biology

Benthic Estuarine Categories:

1.2.3.1.1 Intertidal Estuarine: Those estuarine ecosystems within the substrate between high and low tides, exposed to and flooded by tides.

------1.2.3.1.1.1 Emergent Estuarine Wetlands

------1.2.3.1.1.2 Forested Estuarine Wetlands

------1.2.3.1.1.3 Intertidal Estuarine Aquatic Bed

------1.2.3.1.1.4 Intertidal Estuarine Reef

------1.2.3.1.1.5 Rocky Intertidal Estuarine Shore

------1.2.3.1.1.6 Scrub Shrub Estuarine Wetlands

------1.2.3.1.1.7 Unconsolidated Intertidal Estuarine Shore

1.2.3.1.2 Subtidal Estuarine: Those estuarine ecosystems within substrate that is permanently flooded by tidal water.

------1.2.3.1.2.1 Rocky Estuarine Bottom

------1.2.3.1.2.2 Subtidal Estuarine Aquatic Bed

------1.2.3.1.2.3 Subtidal Estuarine Reef

------1.2.3.1.2.4 Unconsolidated Estuarine Bottom

1.2.3.1.3 Mesohaline: Those ecosystems within water with salinity of 5 to 18%, due to ocean-derived salts. (Definition Source: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats in the United States )

1.2.3.1.4 Oligohaline: Those ecosystems within water with salinity of 0.5 to 5.0%, due to ocean-derived salts. (Definition Source: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats in the United States )

1.2.3.1.5 Polyhaline: Those ecosystems within water with salinity of 18 to 30%, due to ocean-derived salts. (Definition Source: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats in the United States )

1.2.3.1.6 Pelagic Estuarine: Those estuarine ecosystems from the low tide mark to the open ocean within the vertical division from the surface to floor.