- Pacific Marine
The Pacific is a Canadian and American marine
ecozone extending to the international waters of thePacific Ocean from the coasts ofAlaska ,British Columbia ,Washington andOregon . The islands within the Canadian portion are part of the adjacentPacific Maritime ecozone.Famous for its
tourism and an importantshipping channel for Canada, the zone is subject to intense human activity which has damaged ecosystems.Cite web
url=http://canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/ecozones/pacificmarine/pacificmarine.htm
title=Pacific Marine
work=Canada's Ecozones, Canadian Biodiversity project
last=Bernhardt
first=Torsten
publisher=McGill University , Redpath Museum
accessdate=2008-02-09] Primary effects includeoverfishing ,pollution and even directhabitat destruction . The large and increasingpopulation in nearby coastal areas, including the major centres ofVancouver andSeattle , exerts significant strain on the natural habitats within this ecozone.Cite web
url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/vignettes/Marine/pacific/default.cfm
title="The Pacific Rim"
work=Pacific Marine Ecozone
publisher=Environment Canada
accessdate=2008-02-09]Geography
The large rivers flowing from the
Rocky Mountains are a source ofnutrient s for this ecologically diverse region. They enter the shallow waters over thecontinental shelf , which underlays the entire ecozone and represents the edge of the North American tectonic plate. This plate is constantly folding under thePacific Plate , causing volcanic activity at their juncture andearthquake s along the coast.Cite web
url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/vignettes/Marine/pacific/land.cfm
title=Landforms and Climate of the Pacific Marine Ecozone
work=Pacific Marine Ecozone
publisher=Environment Canada
accessdate=2008-02-09]Climate
The moderating effect of the Pacific Ocean results in a nearly constant year-round temperature in this ecozone. The Alaskan peninsula also inhibits the flow of cold Arctic currents from entering this zone, ensuring that throughout its extent, there is little variation in temperature. In fact, there is little exchange of
ocean ic waters between the Pacific Ocean and theArctic Ocean . Ice forms here infrequently, and only in its northern areas in theBering Sea and theSea of Okhotsk .References
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