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This satellite image
illustrates the temperature variation in
the Northern Channel Islands. Temperature
ranges are represented as follows: blue =
44-52º F, green-yellow = 56-64º
F, and orange-red = 65-72º F.
...click image for more... (photo:
Channel Islands NMS)
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Anacapa, closest to
the mainland, is composed of 3 small
islets connected by shallow sandbars. The
western slopes are the primary West Coast
nesting site for the brown pelican.
(photo: Shane Anderson)
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Santa Cruz is the
largest of the northern Channel Islands,
boasting the most diverse of habitats in
the sanctuary. The coastline has steep
cliffs, gigantic sea caves, coves, and
sandy beaches. (photo: Shane
Anderson)
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Santa Rosa is the
second largest in the northern chain with
sandy beaches, rocky terraces, and vast
grasslands. It's surrounding waters serve
as an invaluable nursery for the sea life
that feeds larger marine mammals and
seabirds. (photo: Glenn Allen)
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San Miguel is the
westernmost island, strongly influenced by
wind and weather. The colder waters here
support a distinct group of fish and
invertebrates that are not found on the
southern islands. (photo: Glenn
Allen)
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Santa Barbara Island
is the smallest island within the
Sanctuary and home of a large sea lion
rookery and seabird nesting colonies.
(photo: Shane Anderson)
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The tidepools are an
area diverse with life forms. Sea
anenomes, shell fish, small fish, octopi,
crabs, and algae are common residents. The
distribution of organisms is dependant on
water level, temperature, and competition
between species. (photo: Channel Islands
NMS)
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Surfgrass is a
critical member of the intertidal
community providing a nursery habitat for
many species of fish and invertabrates.
Survival of the seedlings requires algae
to enable root establishment. Once
disturbed, it is difficult to regrow.
Researchers at the University of
California at Santa Barbara are exploring
new techniques to help restore damaged
surfgrass populations. (photo: J. Scott
Bull)
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Adjacent to the
intertidal zone is the deeper, subtidal
zone where kelp forests emerge. The kelp
provides fish, like this Garibaldi
(Hypsypops rubicundus), and
invertebrates with protection from
predators. It also provides homes for
molluscs, crustaceans and worms and is a
food source for many species. (photo: Kip
Evans)
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Rocky reefs are
important habitat types found throughout
the Sanctuary. The reef provides food,
shelter, and attachment sites for many
seaweeds, invertebrates and fish. The
reproductive blades, called sporophyll,
are located near the base of the giant
kelp plant (Mycrocystis pyrifera)
just above the holdfast. (photo: Shane
Anderson)
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The red gorgonian
(Lophogorgia chilensis) is a
filter-feeding colonial species that lives
on the rocky bottom at depths between
15-61 meters (50 to 200 feet). Gorgonians
are oriented at right angles to prevailing
water currents to capture plankton as they
drift by. It provides a habitat for the
ovulid snail and zooanthid anemone.
(photo: Shane Anderson)
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Many marine
organisms use the nooks and crannies of
rock formations for protection from
predators like the octopus. The elusive
octopus relies on the nooks and crannies
of the rocky reef to sneak up on potential
prey items ...click image for
more...(photo: Kip Evans)
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Another habitat
common in the Channel Islands National
Marine Sanctuary is the sandy bottom.
Sandy and muddy bottom provides a perfect
habitat for the burrowing tube anemones
(Pachycerianthus fimbriatus) and brittle
stars. When startled, the tube anemone
will quickly retract into its tube to
evade potential predators. (photo: Shane
Anderson)
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A sandy bottom also
provides the perfect hiding place for
certain kinds of fish. Flatfish like the
halibut (Paralichthys californicus)
bury themselves in the sandy bottom and
rely on their disruptive color patterns to
blend in with the ocean floor. (photo:
Shane Anderson)
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We don't often think
of the open water as "habitat" but many
species live all or part of their life in
the open water. Planktonic jellyfish
Medusae drift in the
water column and move short distances by contracting the
muscles within the bell-like structure
...click image for more... (photo:
Shane Anderson)
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Ctenophores, like this Beroe species are often found
accompanying swarms of medusae in the
water column. Commonly called "comb jellies", these open water
inhabitants use hair-like
projections called cilia to move through
the water. They are also carnivorous,
feasting on ...click image for more...
(photo: Shane Anderson)
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