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Cape Cod National SeashoreBeach breakthrough at Pamet
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Cape Cod National Seashore
Other New England dieback sites
 
Connecticut vs. Cape Cod dieback

Areas of vegetation loss in Connecticut (left-side) vs. Cape Cod (right-side) (photos by Smith, NPS)

While extensive areas of high marsh dieback have not yet been discovered outside of Cape Cod, low marsh losses have occurred at numerous sites in Connecticut and Long Island, NY.

The patterns of loss are visually identical to those on Cape Cod that we now know to be the result of Sesarma crab herbivory (studies led by Dr. Mark Bertness).

<click for enlarged photo above>

 
Sesarma crab in CT marsh
Sesarma reticulatum (purple marsh crabs) were easy to find at this Connecticut marsh dieback site in May 2008 (Neck River, Madison) (photo by Smith, NPS). Could these crabs also be responsible for vegetation losses at other sites along the southern New England coast?
 

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tropical fish found in Cape Cod waters  

Did You Know?
Tropical fish may occur in the waters of Cape Cod National Seashore. Tropical fish can be found in coastal areas all the way to the Canadian Maritime. Eggs and larvae of tropical fish are caught in the Gulf Stream and transported north. These fish eventually perish as the water cools.

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Last Updated: November 12, 2008 at 15:40 EST