The Cape Cod and a Continental Climate - Research Paper Example

Cape Cod in Massachusetts Table of Contents Unique Geography 3 Geology 4 Habitats 4 Predominate Plant & Animals 5 Environmental Management & Issues 6References 8 Unique Geography Cape Code in Massachusetts is famous for its beach regions. Impressive ocean location with vision of spacious dune fields and sandy con form the edges of Cape Cod and it enhances its beauty. Cape Cod, 1033 km²; identified as the Cape by Northeasterners is an arm twisted cape appearance in the eastern mainly segment of the widespread prosperity of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States. Cape Cod is located at the southeast corner of Massachusetts at 41:39:10° North latitude and 70:17:45° West longitude. With regards to the index map of guide to nature on Cape Cod, it is a peninsula. Cape Cod forms connections with a stripe of islands extended in the direction of New York, traditionally acknowledged by naturalists as the Outer Lands. There are four sections that comprise Cape Cod. The Upper Cape is the branch of Cape Cod adjoining to the mainland. This part of the Cape comprises the cities of Falmouth, Sandwich, Mashpee and Bourne. The Mid-Cape comprises the towns of Dennis, Barnstable and Yarmouth. There are seven rural communities in Barnstable namely Cotuit, Hyannis, Barnstable, Centerville, Osterville, West Barnstable and Marstons Mills. The Lower Cape is the constricted section of the cape, where it bends stridently to the north. This section includes the towns of Harwich, Orleans, Brewster and Chatham. The Outer Cape is the outer most division, comprising towns of Wellfleet, Truro, Eastham and Provincetown (Cape Cod Plus, “Cape Cod History and Information!”). Geology Most of Cape Cod’s geological records engage the proceeds and recoils of the preceding continental ice sheet in the late Pleistocene environmental period and the succeeding transformation in sea level. Using radiocarbon dating practice, researchers have confirmed that around 23,000 years ago, the ice sheet attained its highest southward progress over North America, and then in progressed to recoil. By about 18,000 years ago, the ice sheet had recoiled past Cape Cod. By roughly 15,000 years ago, it had left past southern New England. The Cape Cod experiences a continental climate which is similar to that of the New England, with quick changes. With the influence of Atlantic Ocean, the temperature is normally a few degrees warmer in winter and a few degrees cooler in summer. The Cape also influences a delayed spring season, as surrounded by an ocean that remains cold from the prevailing winter season. Habitats Cape Cod was amongst the initial places established by Europeans in North America. Its Native American inhabitants were devastated by diseases hold by Europeans, parting the survivors more or less dependent in the face of deficiency. Aside from Barnstable and Yarmouth (1639) Sandwich (1638) the Capes fifteen towns urbanized gradually. The final township to be recognized on the Cape was Mashpee in 1880. Provincetown was an assembly of huts until the 18th century. A great deal of the East-facing Atlantic seacoast of Cape Cod comprise of wide, sandy beaches. In 1961, a considerable section of this coastline previously scheduled for accommodation division was prepared as a division of the Cape Cod National Seashore by President John F. Kennedy, and was consequently protected from progress. Predominate Plant & Animals Cape Cod has numerous stunning species of plants and animals. The normal quality of Cape Cod attracts loads of people which are an assorted range of terrestrial, wetland, aquatic, and marine plants that are uniquely adapted to life in the coastal environment. Plants native to Cape Cod has moderate plants that are well adapted in the areas of famine along with plants for moist and wet areas, shades and the sun. Also, it includes salt tolerant plants. A list of some native Cape Cod plant species are such as American white water lily, cardinal flower, coastal sweet pepper bush, common button bush, swamp milkweed and many more. Through Cape Cod field trip, there are beach grass named ammophila in the dunes, it helps in construction of sand dunes. Animals in Cape Cod ordinarily comprise of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. According to the national park service public information, over 450 species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals and a myriad of invertebrate animals rely on the diversity of wetland, upland, and coastal habitats found at Cape Cod (National Park Service, “Animals”). There are whales that are found in the ocean surrounding Cape Cod. As per IFAW, “Cape Cod’s estimated homed cat population is 20,000, most of which do not wear identification” (IFAW, “Enriching Life for Animals and People on Cape Cod”). Environmental Management & Issues The unique feature of Cape Cod had attracted many people to get settled in the region and is still in the developing phase. More tourists are visiting this place with reported increase in tourists year after year. The increasing numbers of tourism have affected the environment and so the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) was developed. CZM have drafted various plans and set up certain regulations in the region for the protection of the environment. The costal water quality protection program intends to maintain the quality of the water by controlling the pollution of the water and maintaining the desired level of quality. According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, CZM’s special area protection program, “is in a unique position to identify the most significant natural coastal areas in the state and to take the lead in creating initiatives for preserving and protecting these resources” (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, “Implementation of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program – Programs and Regional Technical Assistance”). The Wetland Assessment Program was launched to protect, restore and maintain wetlands habitat. It is a fact that CZM strives hard to ensure that the water areas of the commonwealth are “in a safe, environmentally sound, and economically prosperous manner” (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, “Implementation of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program – Programs and Regional Technical Assistance”). Coastal Hazard Area program was developed by CZM for high coastal hazardous areas that have been continuously ragged by coastal storms. Commonwealth of Massachusetts is of the view that “CZM provides technical information and policy development assistance to local, state and federal officials to help them manage growth in these hazard-prone areas” (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, “Implementation of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program – Programs and Regional Technical Assistance”). CZM formed an aquaculture strategic plan to assist the industry raise proper reaction to environmental collision, parameters, and economic progress prospects. This plan is currently being implemented by the state agencies as well as the industry. CZM also works with different agencies so that the commonwealth prepares for and can respond to the disasters, be it man-made or natural like that of storms. References Cape Cod Plus, “Cape Cod History and Information!”. October 13, 2010. About Cape Cod. No Date. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, “Implementation of The Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program – Programs And Regional Technical Assistance”. October 13, 2010. Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Plan. No Date. IFAW, “Enriching Life for Animals and People on Cape Cod”. October 13, 2010. Our Future Planet. No Date. National Park Service, “Animals”. October 13, 2010. Cape Cod. No Date Read More