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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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CHANNEL ISLANDS |
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| General Description |
Situated west of Los Angeles, the Channel Islands Biosphere Reserve represents one of the last examples of natural Mediterranean ecosystems in North America and some of the few remaining natural southern California coastal ecosystems. Characteristic features are coastal sage scrub communities on the islands and exceptionally pristine tidepools on the marine terraces surrounding them. All of the islands have been altered to a greater or lesser extent by human activities, including fires, farming and livestock grazing, fishing and numerous house and road constructions. Many dominant plant species have been introduced as well as animals such as black rat (Rattus rattus) and European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Manipulative research on exotic plants and animals is underway to determine their impacts and to develop effective management actions to eliminate their impacts. Unregulated tourism on the islands is another management problem. The Channel Islands National Park, which is situated within the biosphere reserve, maintains a visitor center and there are numerous educational programmes available. The local communities participate in management decisions through public workshops and hearings and a local Fish and Game Commission. |
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| Major ecosystem type | Evergreen sclerophyllous woodland including coastal/marine component. Nearshore and offshore marine, kelp forest, offshore rocks. | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | Eight islands to FIVE Islands and marine sanctuary | |||
| Location | 33°27' to 34°04'N; 119°01' to 120°26'W | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 479,652 | |||
| Core area(s) | ||||
| Buffer zone(s) | ||||
| Transition area(s) when given | ||||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | 0 to +741 | |||
| Year designated | 1976 | |||
| Administrative authorities | State of California/California Dept. of Fish and Game. Dept. of Interior/National Park Service/Channel Islands National Park. Dept. of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. | |||
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| Brief description |
Water polluants; Pests and diseases; Restoration ecology; Cultural anthropology; Rare/endangered species; Biological survey and collections; Ecology of marine and island communities |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | Pollution, pollutants. | |||
| Biodiversity | Biology, coastal/marine, community studies/communities, ecology, island systems/islands, pests/diseases, rare/endangered/threatened species, restoration/rehabilitation/redevelopment. | |||
| Socio-economic | Anthropological studies/Anthropology, cultural aspects, fishery/fisheries, industry. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | n.a. | |||
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| Contact address |
Chris Mobley Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary 113 Harbor Way, Suite 150 CA 93109 Santa Barbara, California United States of America |
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| Telephone | (1.805) 884 1465 | |||
| Fax | (1.805) 568 1582 | |||
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chris.mobley@noaa.gov |
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| Web site | www.cinms.nos.noaa.gov | |||
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| Last updated: 2/26/2007 |
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