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as records allow, and they enter importantly into the natural area 

 selection process. 



Various species are restricted or endemic to the region and 

 are of particular ecological significance. Most of these endemic 

 species are rare and endangered. Some endemic species such as 

 seaside alder ( Alnus maritima ) are restricted and local, but not yet 

 in the category of endangered or threatened. If these species are 

 locally exterminated, it will result in the worldwide loss of the 

 species. 



Seasonal Concentration of Animals 



While endangered, rare, and uncommon species are critically 

 important and figure strongly in the selection of desirable natural 

 areas, the most striking feature of Bay wildlife is the seasonal 

 concentration of various species. There are three major groups: 

 overwintering species, seasonal breeders, and migratory stopovers. 



Overwintering Species . Many Bay area residents, hunters or not, 

 eagerly look forward to the October arrival of noisy skeins 

 of geese and ducks followed later by whistling swans. By April, the 

 old-squaw, canvasback, mergansers, Canada geese, and swans have 

 returned to their northern breeding places, but their economic and 

 ecologic impact is considerable. Unlike the endangered species 

 which tend to stay put, overwintering species frequently move about 

 on their overwintering grounds and have even adapted new habits as 

 old food supplies disappear and new ones appear. 



