Chapter 10: Biodiversity

Pennsylvania Endangered Species

BALD EAGLE

Currently there are 43 nesting pairs in PA.

The decline of the bald eagle was due to DDT.

Game Commission annually monitors bald eagle nests.

Game Commission takes part in reintroduction programs.

Bald Eagle Sites in PA                                                                          

Location of Eagle nest sites in 1999 (red), and

winter concentration areas (violet).

INDIANA BAT

The major cause of declines in Indiana bat populations remains disturbance to winter hibernating populations and, in several cases, intentional vandalism to the hibernating site and the bats.

INDIANA BAT

The protection from disturbance of hibernation sites.

In Pennsylvania, endangered.

Indiana Bat Locations in PA

Delmarva Fox Squirrel

Disappearance caused by suburban sprawl.

If any populations exist in Pennsylvania, they are very small and in extreme jeopardy of disappearing altogether.

Delmarva Fox Squirrel

Until an inventory of possible habitat is carried out to determine whether existing habitat can support the Delmarva fox squirrel, any new re-introductions of this species have been put on hold.

Historical Locality for the Delmarva Fox Squirrel

SHORT-EARED OWL

Intensive agricultural practices make many potential habitats unsuitable.

Primary management of these areas must assure a disturbance-free nesting season.

In Pennsylvania, endangered.

Nesting Map of Short-Eared Owl

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE

In Pennsylvania, endangered; nationally, no special protection.

Collisions with vehicles on country roads as a major factor affecting shrike populations.

Intensified surveys and management are needed to bring back this species.

Loggerhead Shrike Regular Nesting Locations

MASSASAUGA

Due to dam building, highway construction, urbanization, forest succession, surface mining and agricultural activity.

Fish and Boat Commission reviews projects potentially damaging to massasauga habitat.

LAKE STURGEON

Pollution of large western Pennsylvania rivers.

Over fishing seriously reduced the Lake Erie populations.

Legal harvest of lake sturgeon is prohibited.

Pollution abatement .

Lake Sturgeon Range in PA

BOG TURTLE

Draining of its habitat. Illegally removed for

commercial purposes. Informal agreements

concerning the continued occurrence of the turtles have been made with owners of private property where bog turtles exist.

Bog Turtle Range in PA

CANBY’S MOUTAIN-LOVER

Threatened by railroad and quarrying expansions.

Canby's mountain-lover is listed as a candidate species for federal listing by the USF&WS.

Canby’s Mountain-Lover Range in PA

TALL LARKSPUR

Threatened by roadside herbicide spray, road expansion and limestone quarrying.

In February 1990 tall larkspur was classified as a candidate for federal listing by the USF&WS.

Tall Larkspur Range in PA

REGAL FRITILLARY

Habitat destruction. Disruption of critical

stages of its life cycle. Habitat protection

agreements have been made with the owners of public a and private properties.

Regal Fritillary Range in PA

NORTHERN RIFFLESHELL

Water pollution, dam construction and dredging are the major causes for its decline.

In Pennsylvania, support of on-going research to describe the riffleshell's range and status.

Northern Riffleshell Range in PA