This publication is part of the IPIECA-IOGP Good Practice Guide Series which summarizes current views on good practice for a range of oil spill preparedness and response topics. The series aims to help align industry practices and activities, inform stakeholders, and serve as a communication tool to promote awareness and education. This document provides an overview of how oil spills can impact shoreline resources and functions, and how quickly those resources and functions can recover. It covers habitats and species characteristic of the intertidal zone (i.e. the area that is above water at low tide and under water at high tide) of marine and estuarine shores. It is based on documented scientific evidence, includes references to specific studies, and is aimed at the general response community consisting of operators, governments, businesses and the public.