mediolittoral

views updated May 18 2018

mediolittoral Applied to that area of a shore that is approximately equivalent to the intertidal or littoral zone, but excluding the lowest reaches that are uncovered for only very limited periods. The term is used in an alternative system for subdividing the near-shore area of marine ecosystems. Compare INFRALITTORAL and CIRCALITTORAL; see also LITTORAL ZONE.

mediolittoral

views updated Jun 11 2018

mediolittoral Applied to that area of a shore approximately equivalent to the intertidal or littoral zone, but excluding the lowest reaches, which are uncovered for only very limited periods. The term is used in an alternative system for subdividing the near-shore area of marine ecosystems. Compare infralittoral and circalittoral; see also littoral zone.