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State – urbanizing – still unique resourcesCharles county – hot spot for diversity and unique rte

support recreation too

Unique only to Charles county:

Found statewide – large populations in charles

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Natural Heritage Program Background

Diamondback terrapin, sandy beaches of Potomac River, species of Greatest Conservation Need

Barn owl, Watch List and Species of Greatest Conservation Need

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Why BioNet? – WDCP Responsibilities

• Seepage swamp along Zekiah with groundwater-fed springs that keep soil saturated year-round. Similar saturated seepage wetlands occur in the Nanjemoy and Mattawoman watersheds, though less commonly than in the Zekiah.

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GI Hubs + BioNet

• Complementary• More comprehensive

when used together

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BioNet + Stronghold Watersheds

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Rare Species of Zekiah Watershed

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ZEKIAH WATERSHED AND RARE SPECIES HABITATS

Rare species +

FIDS throughout

For dispersal and to maintain habitat quality…

Maintain connectivity of forest

1) along wetlands and waterways, 300ft buffer minimum, &

2) to large blocks of upland forest

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Dwarf wedge mussel, state endangered, federal threatened

Nanjemoy Creek watershed

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Flier, State Threatened, Species of Greatest Conservation Need, Zekiah Stronghold

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• Black and white warbler, a forest interior dweller that needs large blocks of forest to nest successfully. Breeds in Nanjemoy-Douglas Point Area. A species of Greatest Conservation Need.

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Least bittern, In Need of Conservation, marshes of Nanjemoy Creek