Invasive, Endangered, and Reintroduced Species of Pennsylvania By: Colleen Smith

1. Invasive, Endangered, and Reintroduced Species of Pennsylvania By: Colleen Smith

2. What is an endangered species? An endangered species is a group of organisms who run the risk of becoming extinct. • 5 Most Common Reasons for Endangerment: • Habitat Destruction • Introduction of Exotic Species • Overexploitation • Disease • Pollution Endangered Species Segment

3. Ways to Prevent Endangerment • Protect and restore habitats • Reduce threats to wild life • Count down the use of herbicides and pesticides • Recycle • Defend the Endangered Species Act • Support funding for programs that protect endangered species

4. 3 Endangered Animals Found in PA Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) Pollution of the waters and deforestation to opening caves resulted in decreasing the main food source of the Indiana bat, mayflies. Also, gates were put up in caves to keep people out but disturbed the bats only habitat. Delmarva Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus) Timber harvests continue to threat the Delmarva Fox Squirrel’s habitat. Eastern Puma (Puma concolor couguar) The Eastern puma is endangered due to hunting and trapping this species.

5. Endangered Plants found in PA Virginia Spiraea (Spiraea virginiana) Road construction, unmanaged recreational use of river corridors, industrial development, lack of watershed management, and uncontrolled development of river corridors all play a part in endangering this plant species. Virginia Spiraea Northeastern Bulrush Northeastern Bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus) This plant species depends on wetlands for its survival. Water pollution, excavation, and when dry, by off-road vehicle use will prevent the Northeastern Bulrush to die down leading it to a spot on the endangered list of plant species.

6. Invasive Species Segment Native- any species raised in a certain habitat that can easily be affected by new species. Introduced- species brought in by humans who were once living outside native range. Invasive- species that does not occur in a specific environment and causes harm to human health.

7. 5 Of The Most Common Ways Invasive Species Come into our Country • Pet trade • Ships- can carry organisms living in water • Wood products- insects are able to get inside wood • Ornamental plant- some may escape into the wild and become invasive • Human transport

8. 4 of the Most Common Ways Invasive Species Negatively Affect Our Environment • Eating native species • Competing with native species • Interbreeding with native species • Introducing pathogens or parasites that sicken or kill native species

9. 3 Invasive Animals in PA Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) The Zebra Mussel is native to the Black Sea. What are some problems the Zebra mussel causes? It causes threat to biodiversity by causing turf wars which will lead to the loss of native mussels, disrupt food chains, and decrease biodiversity in our watersheds. Secondly, they cause health risks by passing on contaminates up the food chain. Lastly, they will cause economic costs by clogging intake pipes in facilities that provide water and power to local communities. This mussel will count down the population of pearly mussels.

10. 3 Invasive Animals in PA Rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) The rusty crayfish is native to the Ohio River Basin. The crayfish causes problems like displacing native crayfish with their aggressive personalities. They also will destroy aquatic plant beds and affect habitat like reduction in fish production. The rusty crayfish works as a scavenger and also provides food for large fish, raccoons, turtles and herons.

11. 3 Invasive Animals in PA Silver carp (Hypophtalmichtys molitrix) The silver carp is native to eastern Asia and China. The silver carp will disrupt the food web by eating large amounts of food year around. The silver carp can be dangerous to boaters and water sport enthusiasts because of its reaction to the sound of a passing motor. The silver carp is a filter feeder fish who plays a great role in clarifying water.

12. 2 Invasive Plants found in PA Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) The kudzu is a plant native to Asia. Its niche is to reproduce. The kudzu causes problems like covering them under a blanket of leaves causing them to degrade and die.

13. 2 Invasive Plants found in PA Amur Maple (Acer ginnala) The Amur maple native to Japan, Korea and China. The Amur causes problems like maple will cause other surrounding plants from growing. Its niche is to provide shelter, shade and beauty.

14. Reintroduced/ Extirpated Species Segment Reintroduced species- a species who left an area but was brought back into the area. Extirpated species- a species destroyed or completely removed.

15. Reintroduced Species in PA Wolves In mid-January 1995, wildlife managers reintroduced gray wolves into Yellowstone Park. They did this by flying a helicopter near by the pack, this frightens them and causes them to run for cover, where then the biologists if lucky are able to capture one or two individuals out of each pack.

16. Words Cited http://www.endangeredspecie.com/causes_of_endangerment.htm http://www.endangeredspecie.com/states/pa.htm http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Conservation/Threats-to-Wildlife/Invasive-Species.aspx http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/extinction-tips-47051605 http://www.esa.org/education/edupdfs/invasion.pdf http://www.fish.state.pa.us/ais.htm http://www.yellowstone-bearman.com/wolves.html