Invasive, Endangered, and Reintroduced Species of Pennsylvania

1. Invasive, Endangered, and Reintroduced Species of Pennsylvania By: Matt Zanella

2. Endangered Species • A plant or animal species small in numbers and is danger of becoming extinct. • Most common reasons for endangerment: • Overhunting • Intentional extermination • Habitat destruction • Pollution • Introduction of invasive species

3. Ways We Can Stop Endangerment • Conserve Habitats • Make space for wildlife • Reduce, reuse, and recycle • Plant native plants local to the area • Control introduced plants and animals • Join a conservation organization

4. Endangered Animals in PA • Delmarva Fox Squirrel- destruction of habitat and competition with other squirrels • Peregrine Falcon- overhunting and use of DDT • Tippecanoe Darter- additions of chemicals to river and stream systems

5. Delmarva Fox Squirrel Peregrine Falcon Tippecanoe Darter

6. Endangered Plants in PA • Bugleweed- destruction of wetlands and competition for land with exotic species • Swamp Pink- continuous picking by humans, over-grazing by deer, and flooding

7. Bugleweed Swamp Pink

8. Invasive Species • Invasive Species- an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. • Introduced Species- a species living outside its indigenous or native distributional range, and has arrived in an ecosystem or plant community by human activity, either deliberate or accidental. • Native Species- a species that’s presence in an ecosystem is completely natural without human intervention.

9. Introduction of Invasive Species • Shipped aboard cargo freights • Hidden among tourist’s luggage • Brought in originally to control the population of another species • Illegal animal and plant trade • Exotic plants released from greenhouse

10. Negative Affects of Invasive Species • Interrupt food chains/webs • Simplify ecosystems, thus making them less stable • Cost just the U.S. over $138 billion annually to control • 42% of endangered species in the U.S. are endangered because of invasive species

11. Invasive Animals in PA • Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)- originated in Asia and eastern Russia. It is usually only a minor pest but recently they have been colonizing in and killing ash trees. This causes the population of these trees decline, thus eliminating habitats for other animals and causing economic hardship.

12. Emerald Ash Borer

13. Invasive Animals in PA (cont.) • Spiny Water Flea (Bythotrephes longimanus)- Native to northern Europe and Asia. Introduced to the Great Lakes through ballast water and has spread inward. Competes with small fish and plankton for food sources. It can also foul fishing lines and downrigger cables.

14. Spiny Water Flea

15. Invasive Animals in PA (cont.) • Carrier Pigeon (Columba livia)- native to Europe. It was introduced as a food source. Now they cause damage to buildings and statues because of their corrosive droppings and can also spread disease.

16. Carrier Pigeon

17. Invasive Plants in PA • Black Fellows (Bidens pilosa)- Native to Central and South America. It is a very hardy plant that can endure extreme weather. Introduced through ornamental reasons. The grass is a major weed and is a threat to native fauna.

18. Bidens Pilosa

19. Invasive Plants in PA (cont.) • Napa Thistle (Centaurea melitensis)- Native to Africa and Europe. Introduced through shipping. Forms dense, impenetrable strands that displace native plants. It is further spread through the transportation of hay and livestock.

20. Napa Thistle

21. Reintroduced/Extirpated Species • Reintroduced Species- introducing an animal to an ecosystem that was originally there but became extinct in there are for one reason or another. • Extirpated Species- species that are extinct in a specific region or country. These species are currently not found in places/regions where they once lived. However, they are not extinct and exist in other parts of the world.

22. Reintroduced Species in PA • River Otter- Only 30 or 40 were thought to be left in the state. So to bring the population back up to a healthy number, otters were brought up from Louisiana and introduced into the environment. The population is recovering but is still threatened by tainted water supplies and habitat destruction.

23. River Otter

24. Works Cited • http://www.ehow.com/list_6795321_endangered-animals-pennsylvania.html • http://www.endangeredspecie.com • http://www.ehow.com/list_7322700_endangered-plants-pennsylvania.html • http://www.invasivespecies.net/database/species/search.asp?sts=sss&st=sss&fr=1&sn=&rn=pennsylvania&hci=-1&ei=-1&x=19&y=8 • http://www.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt/community/invasive_species/894/pennsylvania/2551 • http://www.invasivespecies.org/resources/DefineIS.html • http://www.ehow.com/about_5509361_introduction-invasive-species.html • http://definitions.uslegal.com/e/extirpated-species%20/