Ecological Linkages: Marine and Estuarine Ecosystems of

2,96

MB

Central and Northern California

172

stron

6587

ID

University of California

2003

rok

Table of Contents

I. Executive Summary .1

II. Introduction 8

III. Methods 9

IV. National Marine Sanctuaries of Central and Northern California 11

V. Geographic Setting of the Study Area 13

VI. Ocean Currents . 20

VII. Oceanographic Seasons 22

VIII. Natural Perturbations 24

A. El Niño-Southern Oscillation . 24

B. Pacific Decadal Oscillation. 26

C. Global Warming 27

IX. Ecosystems . 28

A. Lagoon and Estuarine Communities . 28

B. Sandy Beach Communities . 34

C. Rocky Intertidal Communities 38

D. Kelp Forest Communities43

E. Neritic and Epipelagic Communities 47

F. Benthic Communities on the Continental Shelf 55

G. Continental Slope (200-3000 m) .59

H. Deep Sea (>3000 m) & Seamount Communities 62

I. Submarine Canyon Communities65

J. Cold Seep Communities 70

K. Offshore Island Communities . 72

X. Biogeographic Distributions.78

XI. Conclusions 86

XII. Bibliography 127