| Go to map for this indicator |
|
Maryland DNR's Wildlife and Heritage Division lists
particular species, including some species of
amphibians, fish, crayfish and mussels, as rare,
threatened or endangered. Information on where these
aquatic animals have been found is also maintained to
help assure their habitats are disturbed as little as
possible by human activities.
To develop the index mapped in this indicator,
distributions of these aquatic animals within the 8-digit
watersheds were determined using Maryland
Biological Stream Survey data and were scored from 0 -
10, based on the number of sites with rare species,
their status (endangered, rare...), and the diversity
of aquatic animals. The indicator, which points
primarily to the condition of natural resources might
also be considered to suggest vulnerability to human-
induced adverse impacts; it was used in the Unified
Watershed Assessment to help determine watersheds
classified for conservation.
The presence of rare, threatened or endangered species
indicates the presence of suitable habitat, usually
unmodified or minimally modified by human activity.
Species are conserved by preserving their habitat.
It should be noted that while an 8-digit watershed may
score poorly according to several of the criteria used
in this indicator, there may be a small pocket or
stream where rare, threatened or endangered animals
live, also that some threatened or rare species can
live in an area that suffers from several types of
pollution.
Indicator Use
The preservation of biological diversity is a policy
of the State of Maryland. Watersheds highly rated for
this indicator offer additional opportunities to
protect the State's biological diversity.
|
| Go to map for this indicator |