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ESI Shoreline Types

Photo: Rocky headlands and islets.
Photo: Rock platform along coast.
Photo: Footprints in fine sand.
Photo: Walkers on sand beach.
Photo: Small plane parked on mixed-substrate beach.
Photo: Walkers on gravel beach.
Photo: Riprap along coast.
Photo: Helicopter over tide flat.
Photo: Rocky cove.
Photo: Dock in small harbor.
Photo: Aerial view of tidal flats.
Photo: Marsh grasses along coast.
Photo: Marsh grasses.
Photo: Trees in swamp.
Photo: Mangroves.
Photo: Rocky headlands and islets.
1. Exposed Rocky Shores

ESI shoreline rank 1: Exposed rocky shores (also includes exposed seawalls)

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Rock platform along coast.
2. Exposed Rocky Platforms

ESI shoreline rank 2: Exposed Rocky Platforms (also includes clay scarps)

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Footprints in fine sand.
3. Fine-grained Sand Beaches

ESI shoreline rank 3: Fine-grained Sand Beaches (also includes scarps in sand)

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Walkers on sand beach.
4. Coarse-grained Sand Beaches

ESI shoreline rank 4: Coarse-grained Sand Beaches

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Small plane parked on mixed-substrate beach.
5. Mixed Sand and Gravel Beaches

ESI shoreline rank 5: Mixed Sand and Gravel Beaches (also includes mixed sand and shell beaches)

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Walkers on gravel beach.
6a. Gravel Beaches

ESI shoreline rank 6a: Gravel Beaches (also includes shell beaches)

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Riprap along coast.
6b. Riprap Structures

ESI shoreline rank 6b: Riprap Structures

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Helicopter over tide flat.
7. Exposed Tidal Flats

ESI shoreline rank 7: Exposed Tidal Flats

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Rocky cove.
8a. Sheltered Rocky Shores

ESI shoreline rank 8a: Sheltered Rocky Shores

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Dock in small harbor.
8b. Sheltered Man-made Structures

ESI shoreline rank 8b: Sheltered Man-made Structures

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Aerial view of tidal flats.
9. Sheltered Tidal Flats

ESI shoreline rank 9: Sheltered Tidal Flats

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Marsh grasses along coast.
10a. Salt to Brackish Marshes

ESI shoreline rank 10a: Salt to Brackish Marshes

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Marsh grasses.
10b. Freshwater Marshes

ESI shoreline rank 10b: Freshwater Marshes

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Trees in swamp.
10c. Swamps

ESI shoreline rank 10c: Swamps

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
Photo: Mangroves.
10d. Mangroves

ESI shoreline rank 10d: Mangroves

Credit: Research Planning, Inc.
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