Assessment of the Encroachment of Woody Vegetation into Five Unforested Delmarva Bays and Five Coastal Plain Bogs by Analysis of Aerial Photography

摘要

Delmarva bays and bogs are the most significant nontidal wetland habitats for rare plant species on Maryland's Coastal Plain. Bogs characteristically support low shrubs scattered throughout the herbaceous openings. Field observations by local naturalists and Natural Heritage Program Staff in the 1980s indicated that saplings and tall shrubs were encroaching on these openings and may threaten the rare, shade-intolerant, herbaceous species. To address this concern, this study was undertaken to determine the extent of change in size of herbaceous openings for five bays and five bogs known to harbor high concentrations of rare species.