thephysicalqualitiesofbeachessuchasbeachwidthand（t h e p h y s i c a l q u a l i s o i e t f b eachessuchasbeachwidthand）.docVIP

The Beach Armoring Index The physical qualities of beaches such as beach width and profile, and substrate composition, moisture and temperature influence the distribution of numerous Valued Ecosystem Components such as eelgrass, forage fish, and native shellfish (Dethier 2006, Mumford 2007, Penttila 2007). Coastal bluff erosion is the primary source of beach sediment in Puget Sound, and this sediment source is essential for maintaining the quality of beaches and their associated habitats (Johannessen and MacLennan 2007). Within a drift cell, bulkheads or other shore armoring limit bluff eros