. The Diversity of the Seas: a regional approach. WCMC Biodiversity Series 4. . NORTHEAST PACIFIC Canada; USA; Mexico This marine region is not within an existing Regional Seas area and has been defined here for the purposes of this document. LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS The Northeast Pacific Region comprises four LMEs: the Eastern Bering Sea, the Gulf of Alaska, the Californian Current, and the Gulf of California. Eastern Bering Sea The continental shelf of the East Bering Sea is the largest in the world outside of the Arctic. It exceeds 500 km width at its narrowest point and spans 11° of latitud
. The Diversity of the Seas: a regional approach. WCMC Biodiversity Series 4. . NORTHEAST PACIFIC Canada; USA; Mexico This marine region is not within an existing Regional Seas area and has been defined here for the purposes of this document. LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS The Northeast Pacific Region comprises four LMEs: the Eastern Bering Sea, the Gulf of Alaska, the Californian Current, and the Gulf of California. Eastern Bering Sea The continental shelf of the East Bering Sea is the largest in the world outside of the Arctic. It exceeds 500 km width at its narrowest point and spans 11° of latitude. This region is characterised by generally shallow water (rarely exceeding 100 m depth) and by gradual shelf gradients. Wind-driven currents and sea ice determine many oceanographic features of the region. Ice cover is seasonal and may last for up to 6 months. Surface temperatures in the Bering sea generally range between 6 and 12°C in the summer and and °C in winter. Gulf of Alaska The Gulf of Alaska LME lies off the southern coast of Alaska and the western coast of Canada. Hydrography is marked by the northward gyre of the Alaskan Coastal Current which flows as a narrow jet of low salinity water along the coast from British Columbia to Unimak Pass. In general, wind action in the Gulf of Alaska produces downwelling at the coast. Water temperatures are usually warmer than in the East Bering Sea. Surface temperatures range between 10-14°C in summer and 1- 8°C in winter. Californian Current The cool Californian Current flows southward along the west coast of North America, with its main influence extending from the Columbia River to central Baja California; for most of the year it remains offshore except in September when it flows quite near to the coast. Upwelling occurs seasonally from February to September, driven by the prevailing northwesterly winds, and is a very important factor in the high rates of productivity seen here. The rates and volume of upwelling ob
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