Invasive, Endangered, and Reintroduced
Species of Pennsylvania
By: Aidan Luffy
Endangered Species
• The definition of endangered species is
that the species is in danger of dying out
and may become extinct.
5 of the Most Common Reasons for
Endangerment
•
•
•
•
Destruction of habitats
Introduction of new species
Diseases and parasites killing species
Pollution affecting the air and water killing
off many bird species and aquatic species
• Limited distribution confining some
species to small areas
What Can Be Done to Prevent
Endangerment
• Increasing the funds for endangered
species
• Making new habitats or restoring old ones
• Stopping the spread of invasive animals in
the area
Endangered Animals
» Indiana bat- It is endangered because it has been
disrupted during hibernation, causing them to burn
up fat keeping them warm during the winter.
Black-crowned night heron- It is endangered because of
human-caused destruction and natural destruction both.
Humans have been shooting at them which caused their
population to decrease.
Peregrine Falcon – The wide spread of DTT is the main
reason for peregrine falcons being endangered.
Endangered Plants
Small whorled pogonia – It is endangered because of
the past and continuing losses of population due to
urban expansion. Some forestry practices eliminate
habitat.
Northeastern bulrush- It is endangered
because its habitat may be destroyed. Also, it
is greatly exploited by humans.
Native, Introduced and Invasive
Species
• Native species- species that are common
to a certain area
• Introduced species- species that are not
common to the area and came from a
different area
• Invasive species – species that may cause
harm when introduced into a certain area
5 of the Most Common Ways
Invasive Species Get Into the U.S.
• In shipping boxes
• Smuggled goods may bring some invasive
species of insects
• People from other countries may bring
some invasive species into the U.S.
5 of the Most Common Ways
Invasive Species Get Into the U.S.
(cont.)
• Some invasive species have been
released by humans into the U.S.
• Some invasive species may have come to
the U.S. by accident
4 of the Most Common Ways That Invasive
Species Negatively Affect Our Environment
• They threaten to completely kill off certain
species
• They can affect the water we drink by
sickening it
• They can infect the food we eat
• They can causes diseases in many
species
Invasive Animals
Emerald ash borer – scientific name: agrilus
planipennis, natural environment- eastern
Russia, northern China, and Japan. Emerald
ash borers feed and infest on trees, which is a
major problem.
Zebra Mussel – scientific name: dreissena polymorpha
natural environment- the Great Lakes. Problems they
cause: they cause the water to be unclean by filtering
it through them.
Invasive Animals (cont.)
Round Goby – scientific name: neogobius
melanostomus natural environment- Caspian sea.
Problems it causes- it consumes other invasive species
and competes with native species for food and shelter.
Invasive Plants
Multiflora rose- scientific name rosa multiflora
natural environment- Asia. Problems it
causes: it prevents other native plants from
growing, and it invades places that have
been disturbed.
Japanese stilt grass- scientific name
microstegium vimineum. natural
environment- eastern Asia. It invades
areas prone to soil changing, and it
makes large patches so that no native
plants can grow.
Reintroduced/Extirpated Species
• Reintroduced species- a species that is
put back where it formally lived.
• Extirpated species- a species that has
been wiped out; extinct.
Reintroduced specie
American Elk
Why- It was reintroduced because it was no longer in danger of
becoming extinct.
When- in 1999
How- they plan to relocate them across different areas of the U.S.
Sources
• http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.
pt?open=514&objID=621014&mode=2
• http://www.endangeredspecie.com/causes
_of_endangerment.htm
• http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/What-WeDo/Endangered-Species.aspx
Sources (cont.)
• http://www.invasivespecies.org/resources/
DefineIS.html
• http://www.sprep.org/topic/Invasive.htm#2
• http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/pae/es_map/
articles/article_66.mhtml