The Maine marine system is characterized by salinities ranging between 30 and 

 32 ppt, a moderate seasonal temperature range (27° F; 15° C), wide seasonal 

 variation in solar radiation, periods of fog, severe storms, large tidal 

 amplitudes, and a poorly understood system of coastal currents. 

 Zoogeographically , Maine can be considered boreal (cold temperate). On the 

 North American continent the boreal zone is a narrow area extending from Cape 

 Cod to Labrador and is ecologically similar to the broad boreal zone in 

 northwestern Europe. 



General descriptions of physical and biological factors related to the marine 

 system are given in this chapter to illustrate the interrelationships and 

 dynamic nature of the life-supporting processes in the marine environment. 

 The abiotic physical factors addressed include geology, hydrography, and 

 climate. The biotic factors discussed include biotic roles in the ecosystem, 

 energy flow, and biogeochemical cycling. Finally, the marine system is 

 examined as a hierarchical structure (figure 4-2) based on substrata, media, 

 or vegetative forms. Abiotic and biotic compositions and functions of 

 specific habitats found along the Maine coast are described. Common names of 

 species are used except where generally accepted common names do not exist. 

 Taxonomic names of all species mentioned in the text are given in the appendix 

 to chapter 1. Data are scarce at the class level, yet it is here that 

 information is most often needed for impact assessment. 



DATA SOUKCES AND COMPILATION OF DATA 



This chapter synthesizes the existing environmental information on Maine's 

 marine system. It draws on published and unpublished literature, preliminary 

 results of the National Wetlands Inventory (NWl) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

 Service, personal communication with persons active in research or management 

 of the system, and the experience of the authors. Information not otherwise 

 documented has been supplied by the authors. 



Sufficient reliable data are not available to characterize clearly many of the 

 components of the marine system or to understand fully interactions among the 

 components. To a certain extent this shortcoming has been overcome by using 

 data generated in other similar areas (such as Nova Scotia, Canada, or 

 northwestern Europe) that have been more fully studied, or by using general 

 concepts that apply to Maine. 



Data gaps are addressed at the end of this chapter. All literature used to 

 produce this chapter is listed at the end of this chapter and in the Data 

 Source Appendix (volume 5). Many other data sources were reviewed but not 

 used directly, and these items also are included in the Data Source Appendix. 



Many components of the marine system are similar to those of the estuarine 

 system. All aspects of the marine system are discussed at the generic level 

 but, for the sake of brevity, only those that are unique to the marine system 

 are discussed at the class or habitat level. Habitats that have 

 characteristics specific to the marine system include exposed rocky shore, 

 boulder beach, and sand beach in the intertidal subsystem; and unconsolidated 

 bottom and rock bottom in the subtidal subsystem. Not enough information is 

 available on Maine aquatic beds to determine whether they differ between 

 marine and estuarine systems. 



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