PAWS Academy: Habitat Loss
July 24, 2020
Written by Madi Cook, PAWS Education Intern
Wild Animals Need Homes Too!
Many species of wild animals are struggling to survive due to habitat loss. This week’s episode includes how habitat loss impacts the Northwestern Pond Turtle, a native species to the Pacific Northwest.
Habitat Loss
Habitat loss renders a place uninhabitable as it eventually is unable to provide basic needs for animals and plants that once lived there. Examples of activities that lead to habitat loss are cutting down trees, oil spills, building commercial or residential buildings, or plastic polluting a pond. These activities all disrupt the balance in a habitat, which has evolved over many years. Plants and animals rely on one another in specific ecosystems, or habitats, therefore harming one species can lead to harming many other plants and animals.
Northwestern Pond Turtle
The Northwestern Pond Turtle is a case of a Pacific Northwest native species suffering from habitat loss. As one of two native turtles in the area, this species is endangered due to significant population declines from habitat loss and many other causes. A native species is one that originally came from an area while an introduced species is one that comes from another part of the world.
The Northwestern Pond Turtle is an aquatic omnivore that lives in freshwater habitats including streams, ponds, lakes, and wetlands from western Washington to central California. They also spend time on land, especially during their nesting season. Restoration and protection of land so that it becomes suitable habitat for Northwestern Pond Turtles is critical to the species’ conservation.
Wetlands being drained and filled for the construction of buildings or ponds and lakes drying up after the construction of dams are instances of human activity that has led to loss of Northwestern Pond Turtle habitat. Without these freshwater areas, the turtles that lived there can no longer find ways to fulfill their basic needs and fail to survive.
In Washington in 1990, the Northwestern Pond Turtle’s wild population plummeted to 150. Without efforts in conservation from organizations like PAWS, Woodland Park Zoo and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the species could have gone extinct. Thankfully, the Northwestern Pond Turtle’s population is steadily increasing.
Want to Help?
There are many ways to help species suffering from habitat loss like the Northwestern Pond Turtle. One way is to plant native species that provide resources for the basic needs of native animals. Native plants also help reduce area where invasive plants can establish. Invasive species are plants or animals that are from another area and can survive better than the native species due to a lack of predation and competition or another advantage. With plants, this means that invasive species grow and spread rapidly and actively replace native plants that native animals rely on. The removal of invasive plants is another way to help natives, but this should be done with precision and ideally with guidance from an organization or knowledgeable person as plants can look remarkably similar to each other. Another way to help is by writing letters to local legislatures to inspire change. Demonstrate how much you care about protecting endangered species like the Northwestern Pond Turtle by reaching out to people in power that can take steps to better those animals.
For more ideas on how to help native species and be a steward for wildlife, check out the third episode of the wildlife series: Get to Know Your Wild Neighbors. You can provide shelter along with natural food and water sources to help wild neighbors with their basic needs.
There are so many issues involving wildlife that there is bound to be one that you are passionate about. Always remember that your voice matters and can create change to help wildlife in need!
This Week’s Activities
Visit paws.org/PAWSAcademy and you will find two sets of activities at different difficulty levels along with a word search and coloring sheet all about this week’s topic! Test your knowledge on habitat loss and practice writing, science and math skills by completing this week’s activities.
Continue to Learn With Us!
If you missed last week’s episode on the PAWS Wildlife Center or are unaware of our pet series, you can learn more at paws.org/PAWSAcademy. Check back next Wednesday to learn more about the issues facing wildlife as we will address the danger of bread in the sixth episode of PAWS Academy wildlife series. Thank you for continuing to find out how you can make a difference in animals’ lives!
If you have any questions or suggestions you can reach us at [email protected].