Sand Plains

This environment is characterized by expansive stretches of sand,  which extend out from the coast with very minimal change in topography. The sand plains are found in shallow water, rarely ever exceeding 15 meters in depth. This means that all areas are constantly bathed in light, and perfect for harboring photosynthetic life. Some areas near the coast have an abundance of rocks and boulders just below the surface. Features like this can provide diverse habitats and shelter for aquatic species, so we see significant niche partitioning in these less exposed areas. While being highly exposed to light, this environment lacks many essential nutrients in the marine substrate, which limits the abundance of autotrophs, and forces those that do take root to specialize.