The geology of Connecticut has had wide-ranging effects on both the human and natural history of the region. For example, our ancient bedrock geology created the north-south pattern of rivers and migration flyways across the state. The Ice Age glaciation robbed the Connecticut coastline of our coastal plain and the huge salt many marshes that the Mid-Atlantic Coast enjoys, but gave us the rich estuaries of Long Island Sound, the lower Connecticut River, and our dozens of smaller tidal rivers and pocket estuaries. This talk will look at how Connecticut's landscape came into being, and how our modern landscape has profound effects on our wildlife.
Patrick J. Lynch is the author of the new book A Field Guide to the Mid-Atlantic Coast, published by Yale University Press in April 2021. His previous books include A Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife: Marine Mammals, Seabirds, Fish, and Other Sea Life; A Field Guide to the Southeast Coast & Gulf of Mexico: Coastal Habitats, Seabirds, Marine Mammals, Fish, & Other Wildlife; A Field Guide to Long Island Sound: Coastal Habitats, Plant Life, Fish, Seabirds, Marine Mammals, and Other Wildlife; and A Field Guide to Cape Cod: Including Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Block Island, and Eastern Long Island.