Puget Sound Nearshore Environments
Accreting Beach

Before Development

Puget Sound beaches have diverse plant and animal communities that inhabit a wide range of tidally and geologically influenced habitats. Large pieces of debris, such as logs, are deposited on the beaches by seasonal storms. This debris cycles important nutrients into the system and provides habitat for marine life.

After Development

Beach processes are affected by the construction of shoreline armoring structures such as bulkheads and docks. These structures can alter the dissipation of wave energy, reduce productivity by blocking sunlight from reaching vegetation, and prevent eroding sediment from reaching nearshore habitat

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