Cranesville Swamp Preserve

Coordinates: 39°31′53″N 79°28′55″W / 39.53139°N 79.48194°W / 39.53139; -79.48194

Cranesville Swamp Preserve
Nature Conservancy Preserve
Bog at Cranesville Swamp
Country	United States
States	Maryland, West Virginia
Counties	Garrett MD, Preston WV
Elevation	2,547 ft (776.3 m) [1]
Coordinates	39°31′53″N 79°28′55″W / 39.53139°N 79.48194°W / 39.53139; -79.48194
Area	1,600 acres (647.5 ha) [2]
Established	1960 [2]
- National Natural Landmark	October 1964 [3]
Owner	The Nature Conservancy
IUCN category	III - Natural Monument
Nearest city	Friendsville, Maryland
Location of Cranesville Swamp Preserve in West Virginia
Wikimedia Commons: Cranesville Swamp Preserve
Website: Cranesville Swamp Preserve

Cranesville Swamp Preserve is a 1,600-acre (650 ha) preserve situated in Preston County, West Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland.^[4] It is one of the few remaining boreal bogs in the southern United States, ^[5] unusual in harboring many plants and animals that are normally only seen in more northern climates.^[4]

History

The Nature Conservancy purchased the 1,600 acres (650 ha) beginning in 1960.^[2] In October 1964, the site was designated as one of the first National Natural Landmarks in the country.^[2][3]

Geology

Cranesville Swamp is situated in a natural bowl, or "frost pocket," creating a climate that is more consistent with more northerly regions.^[3][4]

Ecology

Flora

Cranesville Swamp's unusual setting allows 19 different plant communities to flourish, ^[6] with the most dominant species being, among others, Sphagnum moss, Speckled Alder (Alnus rugosa), various sedges (Carex folliculata, and C. stricta) and grasses. Bog species include round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) and narrowleaf gentian (Gentiana linearis).^[2]

The swamp is also home to the southernmost natural community of larches.^[2]

Fauna

In addition to black bear, porcupine, snowshoe hare and a wide variety of birds, the rare northern water shrew has been documented here. Birders have also noted the golden-crowned kinglet and Nashville warbler, rarely seen in this area.^[2]

References

1. ^ "Cranesville Swamp". Elevation Query. U.S. Geological Survey. http://gisdata.usgs.gov/xmlwebservices2/elevation_service.asmx/getElevation?X_Value=-79.481944&Y_Value=39.531389&Elevation_Units=FEET&Source_Layer=-1&Elevation_Only=FALSE. Retrieved 2009-03-08. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Cranesville Swamp Preserve". The Nature Conservancy. Archived from the original on 2009-03-08. http://www.webcitation.org/5f8Ol6tsI. Retrieved 2009-02-26. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Cranesville Swamp Nature Sanctuary". National Park Service. http://www.nature.nps.gov/nnl/Registry/USA_Map/States/Maryland/NNL/CS/index.cfm. Retrieved 2009-03-02. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} "Cranesville Swamp". West Virginia University Extension Service. http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/wildlife/cranesvi.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-26. 
5. ^ Fuller, KB; Frank, PS Jr. (Autumn 1974). "The Cranesville Pine Swamp". Atlantic Naturalist. 3 29: 101–105. http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&recid=7809107&q=Cranesville+swamp&uid=1067078&setcookie=yes. Retrieved 2009-03-04. 
6. ^ Colbert, Judy (2004). Maryland and Delaware: Off the Beaten Path : a Guide to Unique Places (8, Illustrated ed.). Globe Pequot. p. 10. ISBN 0-7627-4418-9. http://books.google.com/?id=lYny4tkhFgkC&printsec=frontcover#PPA10,M1. Retrieved 2009-03-05.