Invasive, Endangered,
And Reintroduced Species
Of Pennsylvania
By: Alice Gordon
11-29-11
Pd.1
Endangered Species: a species
whose numbers are so small that
the species is at risk of extinction
5 of the most common reasons for endangerment:
 Habitat loss
 environmental contamination
 competition
 over specialization
 commercial use and abuse
Prevention of endangerment:
 Endangered Species Act
 holding officials accountable
 protecting and restoring habitats
 reducing wildfire threats
Northern Flying Squirrel: Endangered
because their climate has changed over
time, leaving them only being able to live in
isolated places
Indiana Bat: This bat is endangered
because of humans disturbing their
hibernation and more recently, the
disease White Nose Syndrome
Yellow Bellied Fly-Catcher: Humans
damaging their native habitat is the
reason this bird is endangered
Small Whorled Pogonia: Endangered
because of human interactions, and
habitat destruction
Northeastern Bulrush: This
plants reason for
endangerment is wetland
destruction
Invasive Species: A species that was
introduced to an environment,
established, and is harming its
surroundings
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Native Species: species that was originally in
an environment without human intervention,
and they thrive in that ecosystem
Introduced Species: species introduced by
humans into a new environment
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Human’s can intentionally bring them to help
with one of our environmental issues
Ballast water from ships
Dry ballast
Lumber products
Travelers can unknowingly bring new species
They choke out plants that used to provide
food and shelter for other organisms
 Some prey on species that have no defense
 Can spread diseases (to plants and animals)
 Also, by ruining agriculture the invasive
species are costly
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Common Name:
European Corn Borer
Scientific Name:
Ostrinia nubilalis
Origin: Europe
Problem: They feed on
over 250 plants, causing
farmers large losses
Niche: Infects and lays
eggs in many different
crops, causing itself to
be a nuisance
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Common Name:
Norway Rat
Scientific Name:
Rattus norvegicus
Origin: Europe
Problem: Carry
diseases
Niche: They are
prey for house cats
and skunks. They
are normally located
by chicken coops.
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Common Name:
House Mouse
Scientific Name: Mus
musculus
Origin: Europe
Problem: Feed on
farmers plants
Niche: Lives in
cornfields, eats corn
and wheat
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Common Name: Thistles
Scientific Name:
Cirsium Arvense
Origin: Eurasia
Problem: aggression and
competition
Niche: Was a
contaminant to wool, and
now it is a Noxious Plant
««««««««««
Common Name: Garlic Mustard
Scientific Name: Alliaria petiolata
Origin: Europe
Problem: dominates forest floor,
crowding out native plants
Niche: cultivated for medicinal use
Extirpated: Restoring species to their
native environments
Reintroduced: A species that was
extinct from a particular area, and
brought back to the same area
The elk population fell to app. 27 animals because of
over hunting in North America. In the late 90’s, the
Pennsylvania Game Commission released a herd of Elk
into the PA wilderness. The elk population has grown
steadily.

www.wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn.

www.wildlife.state.nh.us

www.nwf.org

www.portal.state.pa

www.plants.usda.gov

www.allwords.com

www.extirpated.org

www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mamals/inba

www.mhhe.com/biosci/pae/es_map/articles/article_66.mhtml

www.invasivespeciescouncil.com/Profiles_Mammals.aspx

http://www.defenders.org/.../invasives/pennsylvania.pd