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birds congregate for rest and food when periods of strong easterly winds 

 occur during the fall migration. The tidal marshes and wetlands are 

 vital breeding and concentration areas for six species of rails including 

 the rarely seen and little-known Black Rail; shore birds of all varieties 

 depend on undisturbed access to tidal mud flats along the Bay shore; 

 whistling swans, Canada Geese, and concentrations of most of the duck 

 species of eastern North America winter in certain locations in the Bay 

 and its tributaries. Especially important spawning and development areas 

 for almost all of the commercially valuable fish and shellfish have been 

 mapped. Many other ecologically important animals are known and are 

 being mapped. 



The plant life of the Chesapeake Bay area is rich in species and 

 includes indigenous and rare species needing protection. There are only 

 a few bogs remaining with northern plant species, and several northern 

 outposts of southern species such as bald cypress and long-leaf pine which 

 should be preserved. A list and distribution of rare and local indigenous 

 plants is being prepared. The rare, indigenous, and endangered species 

 are being mapped on an overlay together with species representative from 

 northern bogs, western prairies, and southern forests. The best examples 

 of the main forest types are also being mapped. Various types of wetlands 

 are being plotted, especially those containing ecologically significant and 

 important species. 



It is very important to preserve stands of representative forest types 

 of the eastern deciduous forest, especially those few remaining virgin stands, 

 and areas that have gone without disturbance for long periods of time. 

 Certain of these areas should be preserved for future generations to 



