Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2014 - 53

Spotted Turtle

THREATS

photo-Tom Diez

EXAMPLES OF CONSERVATION ACTIONS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL THREATS
TO PENNSYLVANIA'S SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED
Best
Management
Practices (BMPs)

Urban sprawl
Eroding streambanks
or shoreline
Loss of corridors for
movement of species
Habitat fragmentation
Climate change
Aquatic Invasive Species

Land
Protection
Measures

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Communication
and Outreach

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the hydrologic cycle (e.g., drought and flooding) and loss of
important habitats. At-risk species, such as some reptiles and
amphibians, may have specific habitat requirements or limited
capability to move to more suitable conditions. Fishes with
narrow thermal tolerances may be impeded from finding
optimal conditions by dams and other factors. For such a
complex and expansive threat, conservation actions may involve
implementation of basic practices that improve habitat quality
and maintain corridors, allowing species to adapt to changing
conditions by moving to more suitable habitats.
Many threats to Pennsylvania's imperiled species are
complicated and expansive. However, through the
implementation of a diverse array of conservation actions or
adaptation measures, threats to species at-risk can be reduced
or eliminated. In an upcoming issue of the Pennsylvania Angler
& Boater, we will review how Pennsylvania is revising the State
Wildlife Action Plan, so it remains a useful, relevant guide
for addressing the needs of Pennsylvania's species of greatest
conservation need and ensuring Pennsylvania's rich natural
heritage for future generations.
Find out more about the current State Wildlife Action Plan
and watch for opportunities to provide comments on the draft
revision at www.fishandboat.com/swap.htm, click on "Grants"
and "State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program."
photo-PFBC archives

such as mussels that are dependent upon fish as their
hosts. An obvious conservation action to address the
impacts of dams would be their removal. In recent years,
Pennsylvania has been a national leader in dam removal
and development of fish passage structures where dams are
unable to be removed.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
are an increasing threat to the
biodiversity of Pennsylvania's
native species and habitats.
Commercial transportation
(e.g., cargo ships on the Great
Lakes), release of unwanted
pets and movement by anglers
and boaters are among the
many vectors by which AIS
may be distributed across
the state. In most cases,
the primary conservation
action is prevention,
promoted through outreach
and education initiatives that
inform the public, industry, governments and resource
professionals about actions that can help minimize or avoid
the inadvertent transport of AIS. Once AIS have become
established, other conservation actions such as remediation
or removal methods are expensive and may be ineffective in
curtailing their expanding distribution. Further confounding
implementation of conservation actions is the diversity of
AIS that includes fishes, vascular plants, algae, pathogens
and reptiles and amphibians (www.anstaskforce.gov/
Documents/AIS_Field_Guide_Finalweb.pdf ). Each
species may have specific habitat needs or associations that
complicate control or removal.
Finally, a changing climate poses a serious threat to the
aquatic and terrestrial resources of Pennsylvania. Many
at-risk species are characterized as such, because they
often have limited tolerance for changes in environmental
conditions such as temperature regime, thermal extremes,
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

CONSERVATION ACTION
Dam Removal Aquatic Invasive
Legislation
Species (AIS)
and Fish
and
Management
Passage
Ordinances

A mud sill crib along Meadow Run, Fayette County
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2014

53
http://www.fishandboat.com/swap.htm http://www.anstaskforce.gov/Documents/AIS_Field_Guide_Finalweb.pdf http://www.anstaskforce.gov/Documents/AIS_Field_Guide_Finalweb.pdf http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2014

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