Threats to the Land

Human Threats to the Land

Biodiversity loss due to habitat degradation

Spread of invasive species

Pollution

Global Climate Change

Overuse of limited natural resources

Biodiversity losses can be attributed to the resource demands of our rapidly growing human population.  We use natural resources to survive, but we are far more resourceful and destructive to other life-forms than any other known species. As our human population increases, all the organisms on Earth (including us) must share the same limited resources (food, water, space). Yet there is less and less natural habitat remaining as land is developed for human habitation and activities.

Federally and State Protected Plants in Tompkins County:

            Northern Wild Monk’s-Hood

            Hart’s-Tongue Fern (over 90% of the fern’s U.S. population found in central NY)

            Leedy’s Roseroot (only grows on some cliffs in NY and Minnesota)

            American Ginseng (managed yearly harvest)

Natural Threats to the Land

Invasive Species:

Plants

Common Reed (invasive strain) Phragmites australis

Flowering Rush Butomus umbellatus

Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata

Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum

Japanese Knotweed Polygonum cuspidatum

Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria

Rock Snot Algae Didymosphenia geminata,

Insects

Asian Longhorned Beetle Anoplophora glabripennis

Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis, Agrilus marcopoli

Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Adelges tsugae

Sirex Woodwasp Sirex noctilio