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U.S. Department of the Interior

Chesapeake Bay WatershedLand Cover Data Series1984, 1992, 2001, and 2006

U.S. Geological Survey The Chesapeake Bay Program U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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Montgomery County, Maryland1984 - 2006

Open water

Low intensity urban

Medium, High intensity urban

Barren

Tree canopy

Shrub/ grass

Agriculture/ open space

Wetlands

1984199220012006

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York, Pennsylvania1984 - 2006

Open water

Low intensity urban

Medium, High intensity urban

Barren

Tree canopy

Shrub/ grass

Agriculture/ open space

Wetlands

1984199220012006

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Land Change: 1984 – 1992 – 2001 - 2006

• Tree canopy decreased in every period, from 62.6% of the watershed land area in 1984 to 61.5% in 2006 (- 439,080 acres). Tree canopy decreased at the highest rate (-37,403 acres per year) between 2001 and 2006.

• Urban area increased 14% (355,146 acres) between 1984 and 2006. The annual rate of increase between 1984 and 1992 was twice the annual rate of increase of the latter two periods.

• The extent of agricultural and open space land decreased the most between 1984 and 1992 (- 8,700 acres per year). Agricultural and open space land decreased at much lower rates during the latter two periods (-2,110 and – 941 acres per year).