supralittoral zone

ecology

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July 14, 2026

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The supralittoral zone is an area above the high-tide mark that is typically not submerged by water. This zone is part of the broader benthic environment, which describes areas near the ocean floor. The term "littoral" itself originates from the Latin word for "seashore". While the supralittoral zone is not regularly covered by water, the intertidal or littoral zone, located between the high and low tide marks, experiences regular inundation. This area is characterized by abundant sunlight, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients, along with significant wave action.12

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marine ecosystem
Geography, oceanography, and topography
The supralittoral is above the high-tide mark and is usually not under water. The intertidal, or littoral, zone ranges from the high-tide mark (the maximum elevation of the tide) to the shallow, offshore waters. The sublittoral is the environment beyond the low-tide mark and is often…
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The supralittoral is above the high-tide mark and is usually not under water. The intertidal, or littoral, zone ranges from the high-tide mark (the maximum elevation of the tide) to the shallow, offshore waters. The sublittoral is the environment beyond the low-tide mark and is often…
Read More