Transcript Kasunic - HGBiology2011

The Endangered, Invasive, and
Reintroduced Species of
Pennsylvania
By: Paul Kasunic
What is an Endangered Species, and what are the main
causes of endangerment?
Endangered Species- When a species' population goes dramatically low and
comes close to extinction.
Most common reasons for endangerment
•
•
•
•
•
Habitat Destruction
Introduction of exotic species
Overexploitation
Disease/pollution
Not enough natural genetic protection
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
Indiana Bat
Rough Pigtoe
The eastern puma is
endangered because of a
loss of habitat destruction,
and shortage of their main
food supply.
The habitat changes with
dam construction and
pollution in the water
causes endangerment for
the rough pigtoe.
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.
Endangered plants in PA
Small Whorled Pogonia
Virginia Spiraea
Habitat loss and
degradation of the habitat
because of urban growth
causes the Small Whorled
Pogonia to be endangered.
The causes of endangerment of this
flower are because of habitat destruction
due to road work happing and streamflow patterns rising and lowering.
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/scientific name is
Dreissena polymorpha
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.
European corn borer/scientific name is
Ostrinia nubilalis
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.
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.
Resources
www.animallaw.info
www.endangeredspecie.com
www.state.pa.us