Cranesville Swamp Preserve

Cranesville Swamp Preserve
Cranesville Swamp Preserve
	IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)[1]
	Bog at Cranesville Swamp
	Location of Cranesville Swamp Preserve in West Virginia
Location	United States
Coordinates	39°31′53″N 79°28′55″W
Area	1,600 acres (6.5 km2)[2]
Elevation	2,547 ft (776 m)[3]
Established	1960[2]
Website	Cranesville Swamp Preserve
U.S. National Natural Landmark
Designated	1964

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][6]

Geology

Cranesville Swamp is situated in a natural bowl, or "frost pocket," creating a climate that is more consistent with more northerly regions.[6][4]

Ecology

Flora

Cranesville Swamp's unusual setting allows 19 different plant communities to flourish, [7] 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 American 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

"Cranesville Swamp Preserve". Protected Planet. IUCN. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
"Cranesville Swamp Preserve". The Nature Conservancy. Archived from the original on 2009-03-09. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
"Cranesville Swamp". Elevation Query. U.S. Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
"Cranesville Swamp". West Virginia University Extension Service. Archived from the original on 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
Fuller, KB; Frank, PS Jr. (Autumn 1974). "The Cranesville Pine Swamp". Atlantic Naturalist. 3. 29: 101–105. Archived from the original on 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
"Cranesville Swamp Nature Sanctuary". National Park Service. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
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. Retrieved 2009-03-05.

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[IUCN1-1] "Cranesville Swamp Preserve". Protected Planet. IUCN. Retrieved 1 May 2018.

[TNC_Cranesville_Swamp-2] "Cranesville Swamp Preserve". The Nature Conservancy. Archived from the original on 2009-03-09. Retrieved 2009-02-26.

[USGS_Elevation:_Cranesville_Swamp-3] "Cranesville Swamp". Elevation Query. U.S. Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2009-03-08.

[wvues-4] "Cranesville Swamp". West Virginia University Extension Service. Archived from the original on 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2009-02-26.

[an-5] Fuller, KB; Frank, PS Jr. (Autumn 1974). "The Cranesville Pine Swamp". Atlantic Naturalist. 3. 29: 101–105. Archived from the original on 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2009-03-04.

[NNL-6] "Cranesville Swamp Nature Sanctuary". National Park Service. Retrieved 2009-03-02.

[mad-7] 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. Retrieved 2009-03-05.