1.  Meadowview Biological Research Station,
2.  Dept. Of Biol. Sciences, Old Dominion University,
3.  Dept. Of Botany, North Carolina State University,
4.  Environmental Protection Agency, and
5.  Maryland Dept. of the Environment.

Botanical investigations of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, have resulted in the discovery of two exemplary wetlands on the Severn and Magothy Rivers containing rare plants such as Chaemadaphne calyculata (L.) Moench, Eriophorum virginicum L., Sarracenia purpurea L., and Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton. The Severn River site is characterized by naturally open gaps of up to two hectares, with mound and pool topography. Clear water, peat-bottomed, spring fed pools are arrayed within a matix of sphagnous flats, sedge hummocks, and ericaceous thickets. In contrast, the Magothy River site lacks conspicuous, large, natural gaps and instead is in a more advanced successional stage, with a conspicuous shrub layer and a scattered pitch pine, Pinus rigida Miller canopy. Naturally open seepage gaps represent a unique landscape feature on the Severn River.  The cause for their maintenance is under investigation.  Woody species at the Magothy River site appear to be controlled by a dynamic hydrologic cycle.  Both sites have been adversely afftected by stormwater discharges from adjacent development.  The velocity, quantity, and poor water quality of stormwater (e.g. nutrient and sediment loads) have resulted in the destruction of not only the seepage wetland species themselves, but also the structural component of their organic soil based system.