These rocky areas are out of the main currents or in bays protected from wave action, and thus suffer some siltation.  Diversity is lower than in high-current areas, although the same general types of organisms are found.

Common Species

The brown algae Laminaria spp., Agarum fimbriatum and A. cribrosum, Desmarestia spp., and Sargassum muticum, green ulvoids, diatoms, red Neodilsea borealis and Odonthalia floccosa, the sea cucumbers Parastichopus and Cucumaria spp.  Fish are similar to those in higher energy areas.

Sites Surveyed

Brown Island (San Juans), Rosario Point, Neah Bay.

Sources

Neushul, 1967; G.F. Smith, 1979; Simenstad et al., 1988; Duggins unpubl. data.