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Chesapeake Bay and Global Warming - Maryland Shore

The considerable low-lying marshes and dry lands of the Eastern Maryland Shore region are at risk from sea-level rise over the next century.

Along the Marland Shore, a 27.2-inch rise in sea-level would mean:

• A 47 percent decline in brackish marsh.
• A 38 percent decline of its tidal swamp.
• All but 32 acres of tidal flat.

The brackish marsh habitat of Kent Island and the Eastern Neck Island National Wildlife Refuge are especially at risk of inundation. As the soil saturates, freshwater swamps will expand by about 20 percent across the region.

For more in-depth information about how the Chesapeake Bay is being impacted by global warming, check out the following reports:

Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Habitats of the Chesapeake Bay: A Summary - May, 2008
NWF commissioned a modeling analysis of how Chesapeake Bay habitats will be affected by sea-level rise in the coming century.

• Full Technical Report (pdf)
• 12-page Summary (pdf)

The Chesapeake Bay and Global Warming: A Paradise Lost for Hunters, Anglers, and Outdoor Enthusiasts? - September 2007
NWF analyzed the many global warming impacts on the Chesapeake Bay.

• Full Report (pdf)
• 4-Page Summary (pdf)