Ecosystem |
Gulf of California |
Type |
Sea/Bay/Gulf |
Salinity |
saltwater |
Other Names |
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Location |
LME SAU No 4. North America, Gulf between Mexico and Baja California. LME2002, LME2006, SAU 2008. |
32° N 24° N - 114° W 106° W |
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Location Map |
Gulf_of_California.png |
Size Ref |
River Length |
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Area |
222332 km2 |
Drainage Area |
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Depth |
Average Depth |
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Max Depth |
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Ref |
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Temperature |
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Description |
A semi-enclosed LME, the Gulf of California is bordered by Baja California and mainland Mexico, opening to the Pacific at its southern end. It is long and narrow, about 1200 km long and 175 km wide, with an approximate area of 210 km2, making it one of the smaller LMEs. Because the Middle America Trench reaches into the Gulf of California, much of this LME has a depth greater than 200 m. The ecosystem serves as a nursery ground for the gray whale as well as supporting stocks of anchovies and small clupeids. (http://www.na.nmfs.gov/lme/text/lme4.htm) |
Comments on faunal list |
Area from SAU (November 2015). |
URL 1 |
http://www.seaaroundus.org/lme/4.aspx |
URL 2 |
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Ecosystem Checklist Link |
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Total |
Species |
Families |
Species |
Families |
Reference |
486 |
133 |
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