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development and destruction. These have been mapped in detail on both 

 a 1:250,000 scale map for the Chesapeake Bay region (Map 1), and on 

 7.5 minute quadangle maps on file in the Nature Conservancy and the 

 Smithsonian Center for Natural Areas. 



CRITERIA OF ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE 

 A survey of the ecologically important and significant biota and 

 features of the region is required. This includes detailed zoological 

 and botanical surveys and literature studies including plant community 

 types; rare and endangered plants; unusual specimen trees and other 

 plants; relic, restricted, endemic, out-of-range and outlier species 

 and species unusual to the region; and sites with plant deposits and 

 fossils. The zooligical surveys include rare and endangered species of 

 animals - nesting and breeding, overwintering and migratory concentrations 

 of animal populations, areas of high populations especially with high 

 diversity; and unusual species, out-of-range, relic and endemic species 

 of animals. Special anadromous fish breeding areas; prime wetlands; 

 bogs; special areas as cedar or cypress swamp, outside of usual range; 

 caves; cliffs; and other special sites are included. 



QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION 

 A summary of the main ecological criteria for selection and 

 quantitative evaluation is presented in Table 2. In this study, the 

 list has been converted to specific categories and an arbitrary rating 

 of cne has been given to each item. This preliminary set of criteria 

 and weighting system was developed for selection of natural areas not 



intended for recreation, parks and extensive public use. This is 



