The California Current: A Pacific Ecosystem and Its Fliers, Divers, and Swimmers

by Stan Ulanski

The California Current--part of the large, swirling North Pacific gyre--flows slowly southward along the west coast of North America, stretching nearly 2,000 miles from southern British Columbia to the tip of Baja California in Mexico. To a casual observer standing on the shore, the vast current betrays no discernible signs, yet life abounds just over the horizon. Stan Ulanski takes us into the water on a journey through this magnificent, unique marine ecosystem, illuminating the scientific and biological marvels and the astonishing array of flora and fauna streaming along our Pacific coast.

The waters of the California Current yield a complex broth of planktonic organisms that form the base of an elaborate food web that many naturalists have compared to the species-rich Serengeti ecosystem of Africa. Every year, turtles, seals, fish, and seabirds travel great distances to feast in the current's distinct biological oases and feeding sites. Apex predators, such as the California gray whale, humpback whale, salmon shark, and bluefin tuna, undertake extensive north-south migrations within the current to find enough to eat. The California Current energizes us to celebrate and protect a marine ecosystem integral to the myriad fisheries, coastal communities, and cultures of the Pacific coast.

Genres: Science

233 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 2016

Reviews

[Peter Tillman · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK book but kind of superficial, and not very well-written. I jumped around, reading topics that interested me, and I learned a few things, but the book never really caught my interest. YMMV....

[Lisa Konet · Rating 2 out of 5]

The content of this book would have been better if there had been more focus on the actual California current and its importance for ocean circulation. I am an animal lover, so I enjoyed reading about the effected marine life in the dwindling health of the current because of climate change. Whenever I read about climate change effecting ocean health, it is just depressing af.

A decent read for its content despite no discussion about the actual current. Did not learn anything new. It was ok. Glad this was a library book.

[Richp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a good overview of its subject. It is probably just about the right depth for the casual reader, and just an introduction to those who want more. It is not much more than 200 pages, each page not having all that many words, but since it does not take long to read most should not get bored and may instead want to find more detailed books on the various subjects covered here, which are mostly about marine life and not the currents themselves.