UK intertidal foraminiferal distributions: implications for sea-level studies

Foraminiferal assemblages have been collected from ten intertidal study are as situated on the east, south and west coasts of the UK, The assemblages d isplay a vertical zonation which indicates that the distribution of foramin ifera in these intertidal environments is usually the direct function of al titude with the duration and frequency of intertidal exposure the most impo rtant factors. Multivariate analyses separate foraminiferal assemblages int o two faunal zones: a high- and middle marsh zone consisting of differing a bundances of Jadammina macrescens, Trochammina inflata and Miliammina fusca ; and a low-marsh and tidal flat zone dominated by calcareous foraminiferal species, notably Elphidium williamsoni, Haynesina germanica and Quinqueloc ulina spp. These faunal zones are similar to those in other mid-latitude, c ool temperate intertidal environments although there are spatial and tempor al variations between areas. The altitudinal ranges of the faunal zones are employed to identify the vertical relationship of the local environment in which the assemblage accumulated to a reference tide level. (C) 1999 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.