Browse Map

Explore away

Explore Map Collection

Check out our basemaps

Print a Map Plus

Generate a high-quality PDF

Field Guide

Discover local flora, fauna, geology, and more

Local Flora & Fauna

Learn the ecology of your area

Local Geology

Learn the geologic formation at your feet

Get Started or Sign In

Welcome

Continue with Apple

Already have an account? Sign In

Measure

You must upgrade to measure routes

Start Free Trial

0 ft

Max 0 ft

Topo

Ecoregions

Public Lands

...

BASEMAPS

Default Weather

Temperature

Smoke

...

WEATHER

Cape Cod/Long Island

Ecoregion in NY, RI, MA

Print Map

Generate High-Quality PDF

The Cape Cod/Long Island ecoregion includes Cape Cod and an inland area from Plymouth to the head of Buzzards Bay, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and the Elizabeth Islands of Massachusetts, Rhode Island’s Block Island, and a large part of New York’s Long Island. These lands were made by the continental glacial ice sheet, with the advances and retreats of three lobes of the Wisconsinan stage playing a major role in the formation of Cape Cod. The resulting terminal moraines, outwash plains, and coastal deposits, reshaped by wind and water, are the dominant landform features. Elevations are mostly less than 150 feet, and relief is typically less than 60 feet. Cape Cod’s bedrock geology of granites, gneiss, and schist has limited ecological relevance because it is covered with 200 to 400 feet or more of gravel, sand, silt and clay. Mesic Entisols are common, and soils are often well-drained to excessively-drained on the sandy outwash plains. Sandy and loamy soils occur on moraines, and a few areas of finer-textured soils have developed in the glacial lake deposits. Some of the unique ecological features that distinguish this ecoregion from mainland ecoregions include its moderate maritime climate, stunted pine and oak forests, numerous kettle ponds, and unique habitats in salt and freshwater marshes, swamps, bogs, and sand dunes. Many of the lakes are low in alkalinity values, and have variable nutrient levels.

— EPA

Plants

American Pokeweed Phytolacca americana (species), “Virginian Pokeweed”, “Pokeweed”, “Inkberry”, “American Nightshade”, “Cancer Jalap”, “Coakum”, “Garget”, “Pigeon Berry”, “Pocan Bush”, “Poke Root”, “Red Ink Plant”, “Redweed”, “Scoke”

Cape Cod/Long Island

Classified As