Resources | Shoreline Types

Ten ecosystems shape the 946 kilometres of southeastern shoreline. Aside from the rich cultural heritage and recreational uses of the coast, the ecosystems that exist along the southeastern shores include some of the rarest habitats in the world. Coastal ecosystem composition varies from north (Tobermory) to the south (Sarnia). This diversity creates complexity in the management and protection of ecosystems’ regions.

These ecosystems include the following:

Cobble Shores

Click on each ecosystem or shoreline type to learn more about it!

Not all shoreline types are equal in their size or distribution across the Lake Huron shoreline. 30% of the shoreline is made of bedrock, 24% are beaches and dunes, 23% are coastal wetlands, 11% are islands, 4% are cobble shores, and 1% are bluffs. 7% of the shoreline is hardened.

There is inherent value in all coastal ecosystems, whether fragile, rare, common, or popular. Coastal ecosystems are often unknown or misunderstood by residents and visitors to the coast. We often underestimate the importance of the ecosystem services providing benefits to our communities. This contributes to the mismanagement of these resources. Creating a coast of eco-conscious citizens, aware of the benefits provided by coastal ecosystems will enable protection of these finite resources. Using research from across Lake Huron’s southeastern shores, scientists are seeing common threats and stressors across the shoreline and within many ecosystem types. The water quality of Lake Huron is a direct result of the choices and uses made on the land surrounding Lake Huron and upstream watersheds. Ecosystems exist across political and jurisdictional and legal boundaries, properties, and countries. Cooperation across jurisdictions, across neighborhoods, and across properties is imperative. Becoming resolute in enforcing existing regulation and re-designing existing bylaws to reflect future stressors and adapting to ensure resiliency in coastal communities is of utmost importance.