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g MARYLAND 



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^ General description: The fresh-water wetlands of Maryland include ( 1 ) swamps 



GC in the Atlantic Coastal Plain on either side of Chesapeake Bay, some of which 



are dominated by northern extensions of bald cypress (Battle Creek Cypress 

 Swamp and Pocomoke Swamp), and some by gum and pin oak (Zekiah 

 Swamp); and (2) bogs and bog forest in poorly drained pockets in the western 

 upland (Cranesville Swamp, Cranberry Swamp, and Cunningham Swamp). 



Status of the wetlands: Lumbering and drainage for agriculture have disturbed 

 or destroyed some extensive wetlands in the Pocomoke River drainage. Peat 

 mining, pollution from strip mining, and threats of flooding for water supplies 

 are mentioned as taking place in the wetlands located in the mountains. 



Sources of data: Personnel of the Maryland Department of Game and Inland 

 Fish and National Park Service Reports were the principal sources of informa- 

 tion. 



Recommendations: The Pocomoke River and Swamp are chiefly an estuarine 

 habitat and, hence, do not belong in this report. Most of the extensive fresh- 

 water swampland lying upstream from tidal influence has been destroyed. What- 

 ever remains, however, should receive high priority for recognition as a land- 

 mark along with the outstanding downstream estuary. The two should comple- 

 ment each other. Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, an outstanding outlier of a 

 southern habitat, has already been designated a Natural Landmark. The Zekiah 

 Swamp, as an oak-gum swamp would be a desirable landmark also, if it could be 

 assured of protection. The Finzel Swamp is now being preserved by The Nature 

 Conservancy. It is the only shrub swamp reported for the state and should be a 

 landmark. The Cranberry and Cunningham swamps may also be worthy of 

 recognition. McKee-Beshers Marsh is the only open marsh that has been sug- 

 gested. More data on this area will be required before an evaluation can be 

 made. 



