Atlantic coast joint venture waterfowl implementation plan
|
|  Yüklə 7.28 Mb.
|
Other wetland and bay grass restoration projects should be targeted for funding and implemented. Partners should continue to work towards stabilizing the shorelines within the focus area through partnerships with MD DNR, non-governmental organizations and other federal agencies.F  ocus Area: Tidal Potomac River, Maryland and Virginia
Sub-Focus Area: None
Area Description: The Tidal Potomac River Focus Area is shared by northeast Virginia and southwest Maryland and encompasses 474,376 hectares (1,172,203 acres) in Virginia and 295,258 hectares (729,596 acres) in Maryland. The area as a whole, especially upland habitat, is considerably developed, but the brackish and freshwater tidal wetlands have remained relatively undeveloped and provide a wide diversity of habitat for many waterfowl species. The Potomac River proper is owned by the State of Maryland and the adjacent marshes are owned by both Virginia and Maryland, on the respective sides of the river. These riverine marshes are composed of highly brackish Spartina marshes near the mouth of the Potomac to freshwater Peltandra, Lotus and wild rice marshes inland. Historically, hardwood forests dominated areas beyond the river. These forests have given way to row crop agriculture, truck farms, horse/hobby farms, loblolly pine plantations, and residential and industrial development. In recent historical times, the shallow water areas of the Potomac had a high-density of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds (Hydrilla). Ownership/Protection: The majority of land in this focus area is in private ownership. In Virginia, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owns Masons Neck National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Marumsco NWR, The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation owns several state parks, Mason Neck State Park, Leesylvania State Park, Caledon Natural Area, and Westmoreland State Park, as well as several small natural area preserves. Additional federal ownership in the area includes Quantico Marine Corps Base, Dahlgren Laboratory, George Washington Birthplace National Monument, and Fort Belvoir Military Reservation. In Maryland, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources manages several state wildlife management areas and parks including Bowen WMA, Chicamuxen WMA, Chapel Point State Park (SP), Point Lookout SP, St. Mary’s River SP, and St. Clements Island SP. The National Park Service owns the Zekia Swamp and Mattawoman Natural Environmental Areas. Additional federal lands include the U.S. Naval Warfare Center at Indian Head and Stump Neck and the Blossom Point Proving Grounds, Special Recognition: The Chesapeake Bay Estuarine Complex received Ramsar designation in1987. Waterfowl: Six high priority species, (Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Southern James Bay Population Canada Goose) utilize the focus area for wintering and migration habitat. Puddle duck species and Canada Geese utilize flooded marshes and the adjacent rivers and lakes for food in the form of invertebrates, plant material and seeds. The scaup use the adjacent open-water marshes to feed on SAV, and other invertebrates. Other priority species, including the Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Redhead, Canvasback and Ring-necked Duck, utilize these same areas for foraging and loafing. Wood Duck and both teal species abound in the emergent marshes for brood rearing (Wood Duck) and staging in the early fall. Table 1. Waterfowl species using the Potomac River Focus Area.
Other Migratory Birds: This area supports nearly 25 % of the coastal population of Bald Eagle in Virginia, and a number of pairs in Maryland. Waterfront development and increased urbanization are the most important limiting factors on the distribution and future population trends of Bald Eagle and many other species in this focus area. Small, narrow fragments of bottomland and swamp forest border Potomac River tributaries in Virginia and extensive forested areas in southern Maryland provide habitat for Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula, and Prothonotary Warbler. Small, isolated populations of Swainson's Warbler (Virginia) and Worm-eating Warbler (Virginia and Maryland) may be found in forested wetlands with dense understory vegetation. Tidal marshes are irregularly distributed along the shores of the Potomac River but are extensive along some of the associated creeks and tributaries. These habitats are important for Virginia Rail, Sora, American Bittern, and Least Bittern. Marshes in the lower salinity zones and upper reaches of the Potomac River also support King Rail. Historical records indicate that the coastal plain Swamp Sparrow inhabited some of these areas as well. However, their complete distribution among the marshes in this focus area is unknown. Threats: Additional development of riparian and forested areas remains a large threat. Increasing stormwater runoff, with increased siltation and chemicals associated with urbanization degrade water quality. Increasing boat traffic, both recreational and work related, reduce refuge areas and push waterfowl to less favorable sites. Conservation Recommendations: Continued acquisition and protection of land in a series of conservation corridors will help this area retain its usefulness for migratory birds. Prior-converted crop fields and farmed wetland pasture that are restored to wetland habitat provide excellent waterfowl habitat and receive high use in these areas. Continued restoration of these sites will help wintering and staging waterfowl populations. Preservation of bottomland hardwood forest for nesting Wood Duck and other cavity nesting passerines needs to be addressed. The Mute Swan population should be reduced to protect critical Bay living resources. 7.2.7 Massachusetts 
Figure 7.8. Massachusetts waterfowl focus areas.
Focus Area: Barnstable Marshes, Massachusetts Sub-Focus Areas: None
Area Description: The Barnstable Marshes lie on the inner coast of Cape Cod which fronts Cape Cod Bay just east of the Cape Cod Canal. Protected from the full brunt of New England’s winter weather by Sandy Neck, at more than 9 kilometers (6 miles) in length, the marshes are one of the largest barrier beaches on the New England coast. The marshes provide haven for several thousand American Black Duck as well as hundreds of Mallard, Canada Goose, and various diving duck species including Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, and Merganser. In addition, the marshes provide nesting habitat for Common and Least Tern. It is also utilized by a variety of shorebirds including Piping Plover. Ownership/Protection: The Barnstable Marshes encompass 8,300 hectares (20,511 acres). There is no federal ownership and the state owns only 88 hectares (219 acres). However, there are 2,082 hectares (5,147 acres) in municipal ownership, much of it in the Sandy Neck Reservation, and nonprofit organizations own another 204 hectares (505 acres). An additional 80 hectares (197 acres) are privately owned but protected. The rest is unprotected property. Special Recognition: The Sandy Neck/Barnstable Harbor area has been recognized as a Massachusetts Area of Critical Concern since 1978. The following table is a list of current records of state-listed rare species for this focus area accepted by The Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP). In addition, there is a column indicating whether the Focus Area includes BioMap or Living Waters Core Habitat for each species. The NHESP recently delineated areas across the state, called Core Habitats, which if protected would conserve the most viable populations of rare species and the best examples of natural communities over the long term. The BioMap covers terrestrial and wetland species and communities; the Living Waters map covers truly aquatic species and communities. State status abbreviations: E – Endangered; T – Threatened; SC – Species of Special Concern
This focus area also includes BioMap Core Habitat for the Coastal Interdunal Marsh/Swale, Maritime Dune, Maritime Juniper Woodland/Shrubland, Maritime Oak - Holly Forest/Woodland, Maritime Pitch Pine on Dunes, Maritime Shrubland, and Salt Marsh natural communities. The Barnstable Marshes are also included in the Pioneer-project Coastal Records (CORE) as one of several sites along the east coast of the U.S. CORE was started in 1991 to improve methods to reconstruct Holocene sea-level rise from salt marsh deposits. Waterfowl: The Barnstable Marshes provide breeding, migration, and wintering habitat for a variety of waterfowl species. The area has a long history of waterfowl hunting tradition. Table 1. Waterfowl species of the Barnstable Marshes Focus Area.
Other Migratory Birds: Nearly 300 bird species have been noted within the Sandy Neck/Great Marshes system of the Barnstable Marshes. Threats: Development pressures on Cape Cod are escalating and the quality of the salt marsh is threatened by shoreline development. Conservation Recommendations: Continue to acquire property and conservations restrictions within the Barnstable Marshes Focus Area as done in recent projects funded by the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program.
Focus Area: Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Sub-Focus Areas: None
Area Description: The Buzzards Bay Focus Area encompasses the broad stretch of Massachusetts’ southern coastline from Woods Hole on Cape Cod to the Rhode Island line and includes some 59,893 hectares (148,000 acres). An irregular coastline is created by the many rivers, streams, harbors, and bays that occur along it. Salt marsh habitat is limited to small sites scattered along the coast throughout the region and total 1,485 hectares (3,670 acres). Another 101 hectares (250 acres) of tidal flats are found in the region. Many small off-shore islands and rock outcroppings are found in the region including a series of larger islands known as the Elizabeth Island Chain or the Gosnold Group. The presence of the Cape Cod Canal makes inner Buzzards Bay a major shipping channel for both commercial and recreational boat traffic. Ownership/Protection: Sixty three hectares (157 acres) are federally owned, primarily by the Department of Defense. The state owns 364 hectares (900 acres) and municipalities, 594 hectares (1,470 acres). Non-profit groups own another 736 hectares (1,820 acres). Special Recognition: The following table is a list of current records of state-listed rare species for this focus area accepted by The Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP). In addition, there is a column indicating whether the Focus Area includes BioMap or Living Waters Core Habitat for each species. The NHESP recently delineated areas across the state, called Core Habitats, which if protected would conserve the most viable populations of rare species and the best examples of natural communities over the long term. The BioMap covers terrestrial and wetland species and communities; the Living Waters map covers truly aquatic species and communities. State status abbreviations: E – Endangered; T – Threatened; SC – Species of Special Concern
|