Streams, rivers, wetlands, forested wetlands, and Chesapeake Bay are home to a tremendous variety of plants and animals. Some are in need of conservation, some are officially threatened, others are endangered or have already been lost to the state.
Here we will discuss the extent of the problem and we’ll note some successful trends.
- Description and Extent
- Development Issues
- Success
Description and Extent
Nationally, over one-third of threatened and endangered species are said to live in wetland environments. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that up to 43 percent of threatened and endangered species rely directly or indirectly on wetlands for their survival. Several fish and sea turtle species that live their lives in the ocean, return to inland streams to spawn. The wetlands then serve as a nursery for fish, crabs, and shellfish, including Maryland’s legendary blue crab. And migratory ducks, geese, and other birds find food and protection within our wetlands. Maryland recognizes 345 plant species and 138 animals as endangered, threatened, or in need of conservation.
The Wildlife and Heritage Service Natural Heritage Program tracks the status of over 1,100 native plants and animals that are among the rarest in Maryland and most in need of conservation efforts as elements of our State’s natural diversity. Of these species, the subspecies as endangered, threatened, in need of conservation, or endangered extirpated. Only 37, or 3% of the total tracked species, are listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as nationally endangered or threatened.
Complete listings of the Rare, Threatened & Endangered Plants of Maryland and the Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Animals of Maryland include all species tracked by the Wildlife and Heritage Service Natural Heritage Program and indicate which species are federally listed and which are officially State listed.
Development Issues
We have previously discussed the goals of Maryland, including no net loss of wetlands and a plethora of ways to protect plant and animal habitat. All reductions in pollutants, sediments, and excess nutrients, together with a reduction in all human impacts upon the ecosystems, will protect plant and animal species.
Whenever permitting applications make their way through the regulatory process, effects on listed species in habitat protection areas will receive heightened scrutiny. In “Tidal Range, Navigable Water, and Piers” the full text of the “Summary Basis for Decision” in the Sullivan Cover pier permitting process was referenced. If you want to get a glimpse into how these factors are considered, you can read this document by searching www.mde.state.md.us for the document.
Successes
Most everyone involved in protecting and restoring habitat for threatened and endangered species concedes that while progress has been made, there is an extensive journey to be completed. Perhaps it is helpful to recognize a few successes along the way.
Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel
Image Credit: U.S. Fish & Wildife Services
A major focus of the recovery effort has been to increase the population size and distribution of this species by reestablishing populations within the historic range. In addition, observations of Delmarva fox squirrels have occurred in new areas where they were previously unknown. Thus the distribution is increasing because of new sightings of animals on the edge of the range and reintroductions. Currently the Delmarva fox squirrel occurs in eight counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Bald Eagle
One of the most visible examples of success in protecting threatened and endangered species is the bald eagle. The majestic bird was removed from Maryland’s list of threatened and endangered species in April 2010. The bald eagle population is now fully recovered. Bald eagles are regularly seen throughout Maryland, especially near the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal rivers. Surveys conducted by the Department of Natural Resources from 1977 through 2004 documented a nearly ten-fold increase in the number of nesting pairs.
The bald eagle continues to receive federal protection under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. National guidelines for nest site protection have been adopted by the federal government and will apply to Maryland’s nest sites.
Crustaceans and Mollusks
Chesapeake Bay is renowned for its Blue Crab delicacies as well as its abundant shellfish. Over-harvesting, pollution, and excess nutrients, decimated these populations in the 1970s by creating dead zones in the Bay – areas devoid of oxygen and life.
Federal and State efforts have reversed the trend but much more remains to be done. Environmental advocates, scientists, and state agencies disagree on the degree to which success has been achieved. Many of the initiatives previously discussed to decrease urban stormwater runoff, enhance biological filtration by wetlands, and reducing agricultural runoff, are essential in reducing pollutants, excess nutrients, and sediment. That directly benefits the Bay, its tributaries, and the plants and animals dependent on these ecosystems.
In addition to reducing harmful inputs into Bay habitats, state and federal efforts have invested significant energy in reseeding shellfish in the Bay.
The combined federal and state investment in in-the-water oyster recovery activities since 1994 has been more than $60 million. NOAA has invested more than $20 million in the bay’s oyster recovery programs while the Army Corps has contributed more than $24 million. Several million more dollars are included in this year’s budget for the program. The oyster population is now at 9 percent of the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program’s restoration goal.
Waterfront homeowners on 19 Maryland rivers are participating in growing oysters, in wire baskets, from docks and piers. After approximately one year the oysters are seeded into restored oyster beads. Many millions of oysters have been deposited into restored beads in the last few years.
Information presented in this article is believed to be accurate. However, legislation and enforcement are subject to change and interpretation. It is recommended that you contact your local government land use department in order to discern how regulations are enforced in your area. This information is presented without warranty.
