Endangered, Invasive, and Reintroduced Species of Pennsylvania

By Julia MoorePeriod 3

Endangered SpeciesAn endangered species is a species whose

numbers are so low that they are in danger of becoming extinct.

Common Reasons for Endangerment: 1. habitat loss (usually caused by humans) 2. poaching 3. wildlife trade 4. climate change 5. invasive species

Preventing Endangerment Learn about endangered species in your area,

and teach your family Volunteer at a nature center Make your home wildlife friendly

Secure trash, clean bird baths, reduce use of water Plant native vegetation in your yard Minimize use of pesticides Recycle Report harassment of endangered animals

Animals: 1. Northern Flying Squirrel 2. Indiana Bat 3. Great Egret

Plants 1. Bugleweed 2. American Lotus

Endangered Species in PA

The population has declined over the years due to a parasite carried by the Southern Flying Squirrel.

Northern Flying Squirrel

It was first listed in 1967 due to human disturbance during hibernation, killing large numbers of bats. Indiana bats are extremely

Indiana Bat

vulnerable to disturbance because they hibernate in large numbers in only a few caves (the largest hibernation caves support from 20,000 to 50,000 bats).

Great Egret

The Great Egret used to be hunted for its feathers. This caused a great decline in population. Now reasons for endangerment include water pollution and disturbance ofNesting colonies.

Bugleweed

The Bugleweed is endangered due to pollution and disappearance of its wetland habitat.

American LotusThese plants are endangered because of habitat destruction and pollution. American lotus specimens also have little genetic diversity, since they copy themselves to increase their numbers. This leaves them vulnerable to disease and defects.

Invasive Species

Native Species: a species that normally lives and thrives in the particular ecosystem

Introduced Species: a species living outside its native ecosystem due to human interaction could be either deliberate or accidental, and the

outcome could be negative or beneficial.Invasive Species: a species that has been introduced to

an environment that it is not native to, and has since become a threat to native species due to rapid spread and increase in numbers

Invasive Species

Common Ways Invasive Species Get Into the US: 1. hidden in wooden packing material 2. hidden in other vegetation (nursery trade) 3. hidden aboard ships 4. through foreign ship-ballast water 5. brought in for population control and pets

Animals: 1. Zebra mussel 2. Hemlock Wooly Adelgid 3. European Corn Borer

Plants 1. Purple Loosestrife 2. Russian Olive

Invasive Species in the US

The Zebra Mussel originates from the Caspian Sea region in Asia. They are filter feeders. They out-compete native animals for food.

Zebra MusselDreissena polymorpha

They also clog intake pipes at power plants and urban water sources.

The Hemlock Wooly Adelgid originates in China and Japan. It causes up to 90% mortality in eastern hemlocks. Eastern hemlocks are important for shading trout streams, and provide

Hemlock Wooly AdelgidAdelges tsugae

habitat for about 90 species of birds and mammals.

The European Corn Borer originates from Europe. It feeds on 250 kinds of plants. PA sweet corn, pepper, and

European Corn Borer Ostrinia nubilalis

snap pea losses are very high. Average field corn loss is 3.5%.

The Purple Loosestrife originates from Europe. They are used as a medicinal herb for treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, bleeding, wounds, ulcers and sores. Invasion of this plant into a wetland can result in the suppression of native plants and the change of the wetland’s structure and

Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria

and function. Large groups eliminate food sources for various threatened and endangered native plants and wildlife.

The Russian Olive originates from Asia. The fruit is used to relieve joint pain. The species was introduced into North America in the late 19th century, and later escaped cultivation. Its fruits are savored by birds, which disperse the seeds. Russian olive is considered to be an invasive species in the United

Russian Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia

States because it thrives on poor soil, has low seedling mortality rates, and outcompetes native species.

Reintroduced & Extirpated Species

Reintroduced Species: a species that has been deliberately released into an area it previously inhabited, but disappeared from for any number of reasons

Extirpated Species: a species that has become extinct in a given area

A study of captive elk in PA shows that the elk were disappearing due mostly to gastrointestinal parasites or bacterial infections (mostly pneumonia).

Elk Cervus canadensis

They have since been reintroduced to Pennsylvania.

SourcesCommonwealth Enterprise Portal:

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/Animal Extinction and Endangerment:

http://www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com/Animal-Extinction.htmlNational Resources Conservation Service:http://www.plants.usda.gov/java/The United States National Arboretumhttp://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/invasives.htmlInvasive Species in Pennsylvania:http://www.defenders.org/resources/publications/invasives/pennsylvania.pdfU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:http://www.fws.gov/invasives/faq.html#q3