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Importance of Wetlands to Endangered and T}ueatened Species
<br />SUMMARI'
<br />In the preceeding examples, the importance of certain wetlands to endangered and
<br />threatened species has been illustrated. Wetland habitats vary in size, geography, and
<br />biological composition, but are nevertheless essential to survival of endangered and
<br />threatened species. Importance of the habitats to endangered and threatened wildlife
<br />was not appreciated until recently. Hornaday (1913), in his book, Our Vanishing Wildlife,
<br />only briefly mentions destruction of marshes and other habitats as a problem in conserva-
<br />tion of wildlife. This is somewhat understandable since the most obvious threat to wild-
<br />life in the late 1800's and ear~,_1900's,was.,overkiIl throu hunting. Most extinctions
<br />duri~ ng,the ner.o~,,~w~rQ the result of direct_killing by man. However. several species be-
<br />came extinct rior _ _
<br />..6_~,_._.~__~.__....1?.__, _, to 1900 because of habitat alteration, The harelip sucker Lagochila
<br />lacers, appears to be -the first fish to become extinct in the United States as a result of
<br />human activities (Williams and Finnley, 1977). Another example is the Gull Island vole,
<br />Microtus pennsylvanicus nesophilus, a small mammal which disappeared when its habitat
<br />was destroyed about 1900 by construction of fortifications on the island (Allen, 1972).
<br />The importance of wetlands to endangered and threatened plants, fish, and wildlife
<br />varies from one taxonomic group of organisms to another. On_the~list of approximately
<br />3,200 plant species identified as in need of nro tin in a report presented to the Con-
<br />gress of the United States by the Smithsonian Institution in 1974, approximately,
<br />species are. aquatic or wetland-dependent tam. Aquatic and wetland plants are found in a
<br />variety of habitats through most of the United States, where the major threat to their
<br />survival is destruction or adverse alteration of habitat. As many as nine species of wet-
<br />landplants may be extinct (Ronald Stuckey, pers. comm.).
<br />Of 3~c~ec;PC and subspecies of nib .~l Ctatas m~~ma~ listed as eridaneered, five
<br />species (15.2 percent) are~~n,~nrlent nn wetlanrlq durin all nr ~a~s of thg~r hfe cycle.
<br />Two species, the Florida panther, Felis concolor coryi, and the red wolf, Canis rufus, are
<br />not considered wetland-related species but manage to survive today only in wetland habi-
<br />tats. There are ~ e= cieS of j~,ir{j„c o, n,~the ~n~,~,~~, States list of encl~n_gPrerl and threa ened
<br />species of which X2,(,31 percents ~yy_g~~.S1~~.G1~~.
<br />Reptiles an,r~~ibians are adapted to very different types of habitats. Of 13 United
<br />States endangered and threatened reptiles, 4 (30.8 percent) are dependent on wetlands for
<br />their survival. Five reptiles are proposed for endangered status, three of which are wet-
<br />land species. There are six amphibians on the United States endangered and threatened
<br />species list and 3 (50 percent) are wetland species. Two species are proposed for the list, .
<br />one of wMch survives only in a wetland habitat.
<br />Most fresh water and estuarine fishes depend to varying degrees on wetlands for survi-
<br />~..
<br />val. There are 41 species and subspecies of United States fishes listed as endangered or
<br />threatened, 22 (53.6 percent) of which are found in wetland habitats during part of their
<br />life cycles.
<br />The value of wetlands to endangered plants, fish, and wildlife is becoming more ob-
<br />vious. Work of scientists combined with increased awareness and concern in the private
<br />sector, and state and Federal governments should provide protection to remaining wet-
<br />lands. Proper precautionary and restorative measures could lead to recovery of damaged
<br />wetland ecosystems. Without conservation of wetlands, many endangered and threatened
<br />species may disappear before the end of the century.
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