Pacific Maritime

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Pacific Maritime is a Canadian terrestrial ecozone, spanning a strip approximately 200 kilometres wide along the British Columbia coast, then narrowing along the border with Alaska. It also includes all marine islands of British Columbia, and a small portion of the southwestern corner of the Yukon.

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[edit] Geography

This ecozone is the most diverse in Canada, and perhaps the world.[1] Its northern inland extent is primarily alpine tundra, whereas the picturesque northern coast features numerous fjords and valleys, with massive glaciers common in the mountains. To the south, the flat plains of the Fraser Valley are nestled within the ranges of the Coast Mountains, famous for their ancient and majestic temperate rainforests.[2] In its marine areas are notable undersea kelp forests.

Lying on the Pacific Ring of Fire, it exhibits many hot springs.[3]

[edit] Protected areas

Within this ecozone are a number of protected areas. These include:[4]

[edit] Climate

This zone experiences the warmest and wettest climate in Canada[2] The lower Georgia Strait may receive as little as 600 mm of annual precipitation, but other areas in this zone receive as much as 3,000 mm.[3] Moderated by the influence of the Pacific Ocean, the zone experiences mild winters and cool summers.[5] Mean temperatures vary little throughout the year; January means are between 4 and 6°C, and July means are between 12 and 18°C.[3]

[edit] Flora and fauna

The region is the only home for some species of birds, including the American Black Oystercatcher, the Chestnut-backed Chickadee and the Tufted pigeon.[2] The Gulf Islands and Saanich Peninsula contain "the last remnants of the highly endangered Garry Oak ecosystem".[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nature's Postcard. Pacific Maritime Ecozone. Environment Canada. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  2. ^ a b c d Canada's Ecozones. Space for Species. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  3. ^ a b c Landforms and Climate of the Pacific Maritime Ecozone. Pacific Maritime Ecozone. Environment Canada. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
  4. ^ Terrestrial Ecozones of Canada. Teacher Resource Centre. Parks Canada. Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
  5. ^ Bernhardt, Torsten. Pacific Maritime. Canada's Ecozones, Canadian Biodiversity project. McGill University, Redpath Museum. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.