RARE, ENDANGERED, AND THREATENED VERTEBRATE SPECIES IN THE CHESAPEAKE 



BAY REGION 



INTRODUCTION 



This report is part of a larger series of reports dealing with 

 the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Maine Coast as part of a coordinated 

 effort to identify and analyze conservation priorities and selection of 

 natural areas and landmarks along the east coast of the United States. 



The Chesapeake Bay region, being one of the most outstanding 

 because of its natural resource values and its proximity to large 

 metropolitan complexes, was given special attention. This project 

 was originated by The Nature Conservancy, in conjunction with the 

 Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and was carried out by the Smithsonian 

 Center for Natural Areas. 



This report deals with rare, endangered, and threatened vertebrate 

 animals occurring in the Chesapeake Bay area. Geographically the area 

 is delineated by U. S. Highway 13 on the east, the North Carolina/ 

 Virginia state line to the south, the Fall Line or Interstate 95 on 

 the west and north. This includes the Bay and its tributaries roughly 

 to the limit of tidal influence. 



A series of base maps has been developed by the Smithsonian 

 Center for Natural Areas showing significant ecological data along the 

 Atlantic Coastal Plain. A special set of maps of the Chesapeake Bay 

 region indicates detailed zoological factors and sites where rare, 

 endangered, or threatened fish and wildlife occur. Areas harboring 

 such species have been given high rating among the conservation 

 priorities in selecting natural areas for preservation. 



SCOPE OF REPORT 



The report summarizes existing and current information on rare, 

 endangered, and threatened species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, 

 birds, and mammals which occur in the Chesapeake Bay region. Included 

 are species which are recognized on the U. S. Department of Interior's 

 federal registry of endangered animals; and also species which are 

 apparently experiencing rapid depletion in numbers and may be threatened. 

 The data presented cover the status, estimated numbers, present distri- 

 bution, reasons for decline, ecological values, and conservation 

 measures taken or proposed for those species listed below. This 

 information is presented in the same format as the U. S. Department of 

 Interior's Redbook, "Threatened Wildlife of the United States", and 

 the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources 

 (I.U.C.N.), Red Data Books. 



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