The Endangered, Invasive, and Reintroduced Species of Pennsylvania By: Paul Kasunic

What is an Endangered Species, and what are the main causes of endangerment? Habitat Destruction Introduction of exotic species Overexploitation Disease/pollution Not enough natural genetic protection Endangered Species- When a species' population goes dramatically low and comes close to extinction. Most common reasons for endangerment What can be done to stop Endangerment Humans can take better care of the habitat for the species that live around them because a species can not survive without a home, we can make space for wildlife by building birdhouses and planting trees, and by reducing, reusing, and recycling to cut down on pollution.

Different endangered animals in PA Eastern Puma The eastern puma is endangered because of a loss of habitat destruction, and shortage of their main food supply. Indiana Bat The cause of human disturbance affects the bat greatly because a female bat produces only one bat a year, and with humans interfering in daily life it is hard for this bat species to maintain a sturdy population. Rough Pigtoe The habitat changes with dam construction and pollution in the water causes endangerment for the rough pigtoe.

Endangered plants in PA Small Whorled Pogonia Virginia Spiraea The causes of endangerment of this flower are because of habitat destruction due to road work happing and stream- flow patterns rising and lowering. Habitat loss and degradation of the habitat because of urban growth causes the Small Whorled Pogonia to be endangered.

What is an Invasive, Native, and Introduced Species? Native Species- species that are naturally in a certain area Introduced Species- Species brought into another area in different ways for different purposes. Invasive Species- organisms that are brought into another area beyond their natural range and become pests in the new environment. The most common ways invasive species get onto a country They come by planes(air transportation) Ships carry them overseas They may attach and get carried by humans Vehicles may take them Animals may carry them to another area by their hair or feathers

How do Invasive Species negatively affect the Environment? Invasive Species have been considered the second greatest threat to the biological diversity after habitat loss so it is no wonder why they can affect our environment so negatively as listed below. They may bring diseases into an area They may lower the food supply Take over the habitat Destroy the habitat and its conditions

Invasive animals in PA Zebra mussels came from the Caspian Sea region and their niche is clearing waterways of different species like the pearly muscles. The problems they cause is that they build up and clog waterways and lower other water species populations like the clam. The European corn borer came from Europe and now it causes some farming problems by eating different types of plants like corn and peppers making farmers lose 3.5% on average each year of crops. Their role is determining the impact of global change on agricultural and forestry ecosystems. Zebra Mussels/scientific name is Dreissena polymorpha European corn borer/scientific name is Ostrinia nubilalis

Hemlock woolly adelgid Hemlock woolly adelgid/scientific name is Adelges tsugae This insect originated from over seas in China and Japan. Their role is to undergo metamorphosis and eat the sap of hemlock trees. The main problem these insects cause is that they kill about 90% of eastern hemlocks which are very important to give shade to fish in the streams and animals on the banks of the water.

Invasive plants in PA Common privet/scientific name is Ligustrum vulgare It came from Europe and its niche in life is to produce fruit and let off oxygen into the air. These might be excellent looking shrubs to plant for decoration, but they grow to much and become overpopulated. Also, the berries on this bush look promising to animals, but can get whatever eats them very sick. Cheat grass/scientific name is Bromus tectorum Coming from Europe by mistake this weed now is very harmful to other plants because it takes the nutrients from the soil and uses it without sharing any for other crops, which kills the crops. The role of this is to be feed for livestock.

Reintroduced/Extirpated species in PA Reintroduced species- A species that was once in one certain area, taken out somehow, and put back in later on. Extirpated species- A certain species that has been 100% destroyed or taken out of one area. The American elk once was found everywhere in PA, but with immense amounts of deforestation and hunting taken place the elk was no longer found in PA. In 1999 a relocation project helped expand the amount of American elk in PA. They were pretty successful.

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