National Parks and Other Natural Land Areas
National Parks and Other Natural Land Areas
For this discussion forum you will be researching a United States, federally owned park, refuge, marine sanctuary, forest, or other applicable federally owned land/water area. Chapter 17 information can help you further distinguish and determine what are federally owned lands, that belong to us all, and are managed by a number of various federal agencies. A stipulation is that you may not use Everglades National Park (you have already learned much about ENP). Additionally, I encourage you to broaden your horizons and complete your discussion on a federal land area outside of Florida, although I am just specifying you cannot do your report on ENP.
A. Answer the following for the federally owned natural land area you choose:
1) Where is the natural land area located and what agency of the United States government manages it (be as specific as possible)? For instance, the Department of the Interior (DOI) oversees many of the United States’ natural areas, but there are many agencies, divisions, or services of the DOI that actually oversee the direct management. Note: this assignment corresponds to Chapter 17 of you text which you may consult for further information on the structure and configuration of most the nation’s natural areas.
2) What date was it dedicated/formed and the circumstances behind its formation?
3) What are the primary plant and animal life (be specific as possible) found within the natural land area, specifically including any endangered species? What other organisms, other than plants and animals, may be important for the ecology of this natural land area?
4) What biomes/ecosystems are found within the natural land area?
5) Describe the physical attributes and geological features of the natural land area?
6) Describe what makes this natural land area unique to be preserved/conserved by the federal government for us?
7) Describe the visitor services available for this natural land area. That is, if you were to/have already visited this area, how are visitors accommodated, if at all? What is there for visitors to do?
8) Describe the threats and dangers that are harming or potentially harming the natural land area and what could be done to alleviate those dangers?
ANSWER
Stellwagen Bank
Stellwagen Bank is a federally protected marine sanctuary that is located at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay, about 25 miles from Boston. The sanctuary is protected under the national oceanic and atmospheric administration. The Stellwagen Bank was designated in 1992 after the marine protection legislation was signed, and the area was established as a sanctuary boundary which led to the prohibition of sand, gravel, and another mineral harvesting. The fiscal year funding of 1993 and 1994 directed the secretary of commerce to consider establishing a satellite sanctuary office. Stellwagen Bank has been known for years for its rich ecosystem, which has attracted fishermen looking for cod, haddock tuna, and herring. The sanctuary has also been recognized as one of the top whale-watching destinations in the world. The sanctuary is a freshwater marine sanctuary, consists of organisms known as plankton which are essential for the water food webs.
The sanctuary’s ecosystem consists of different species of plants and fish, some that are endangered hence the commercial ban of fishing. The sanctuary is located in the southwestern Gulf of Maine and encompasses 842 square miles in a topographically diverse area. According to geologists, the area was formed 14000 years ago during the retreat of ice age glaciers. The site is protected because it harbors many marine species such as the humpback whale, pilot whales, minke, and Sei. There are regular visits from Atlantic white-sided dolphins, harbor seals, and gray seals. The sanctuary also harbors the endangered North Atlantic right whales. As a visitor to the sanctuary, there is a wide range of activities that one can participate such as fishing on charter boats, deep-diving into the depths to see the seafloor habitats and the sanctuary also has a wide variety of birds, and therefore, one can also partake in bird watching. Marine life is under constant threat due to overfishing, and therefore, more sanctuaries should be protected from commercial fishing to preserve marine life.
References
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/sanctuaries/stellwagen.html
