The Full Wiki



More info on Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve

Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve: Wikis
  

Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles.

Encyclopedia

Updated live from Wikipedia, last check: June 02, 2012 17:24 UTC (37 seconds ago)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve (SMR) is a marine protected area located at the northern edge of Santa Cruz, California and approximately 75 miles (121 km) south of San Francisco. The SMR covers 0.58 square miles (1.5 km2)[1] and all living marine resources are protected within the reserve.[2]

Contents

History

The Natural Bridges SMR was established in September 2007 by the California Fish and Game Commission. It was one of 29 marine protected areas adopted during the first phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. The Marine Life Protection Act Initiative (or MLPAI) is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of marine protected areas along the California coastline.

Geography and Natural Features

Natural Bridges SMR is adjacent to Natural Bridges State Beach and Wilder Ranch State Park.

This marine protected area is bounded by the mean high tide line and a distance of 200 feet (61 m) seaward of mean lower low water between the following two points:[3]

  • 36° 57.90’ N. lat. 122° 07.65’ W. long.; and
  • 36° 57.00’ N. lat. 122° 03.50’ W. long.

Habitat and Wildlife

Dramatic wave-cut platforms, exposed rocky cliffs, salt marsh, and sandy and rocky shores provide habitat for a wide range of species that inhabit the Natural Bridges area. These habitats include sandy beach, rocky intertidal, and surfgrass.[4]

Recreation and Nearby Attractions

Adjacent to Natural Bridges SMR is Natural Bridges State Beach which features tidepools and the Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve. The Monarch Grove is home to migrating monarch butterflies from mid-October through the end of February. Docent led butterfly, tidepool and nature trail tours are available.

Also adjacent to Natural Bridges SMR is Wilder Ranch State Park which has 34 miles (55 km) of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Historic farm buildings have been restored and the park conducts tours and living history demonstrations. The University of California at Santa Cruz’s Long Marine Laboratory and its public aquarium, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, are also adjacent to the Natural Bridges SMR. Long Marine Laboratory is an oceanside research and educational facility. Limited tours are offered to visitors to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center.

California’s marine protected areas encourage recreational and educational uses of the ocean.[5] Activities such as kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are allowed unless otherwise restricted. As a fully-protected marine reserve, harvest of marine life including fish, invertebrates, and kelp is not allowed in Natural Bridges SMR.

Scientific Monitoring

As specified by the Marine Life Protection Act, select marine protected areas along California’s central coast are being monitored by scientists to track their effectiveness and learn more about ocean health. Similar studies in marine protected areas located off of the Santa Barbara Channel Islands have already detected gradual improvements in fish size and number.[6]

References

  1. ^ California Department of Fish and Game. “California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative Summary of Central Coast MPAs as Adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission”. Retrieved on December 22, 2008.
  2. ^ California Department of Fish and Game. "Online Guide to California’s Central Coast Marine Protected Areas". Retrieved on December 18, 2008.
  3. ^ California Department of Fish and Game. "Central Coast Marine Protected Areas". Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  4. ^ Department of Fish and Game. "Appendix O. Regional MPA Management Plans". Master Plan for Marine Protected Areas (approved February 2008). Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  5. ^ Department of Fish and Game. "California Fish and Game Code section 2853 (b)(3)". Marine Life Protection Act. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  6. ^ Castell, Jenn, et al. "How do patterns of abundance and size structure differ between fished and unfished waters in the Channel Islands? Results from SCUBA surveys". Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) at University of California, Santa Barbara and University of California, Santa Cruz; Channel Islands National Park. Retrieved December 18, 2008.

External links








Got something to say? Make a comment.
Your name
Your email address
Message
Please enter the solution to case below
70+12=