THREATENED
AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
A large variety of organisms depend upon wetlands in some manner for their
survival. Illinois, unfortunately, has lost over 90 percent of its original
wetlands. As a result, many of the State's native plant and animal species
that depend upon wetlands have become threatened
or endangered.
Already, approximately 35 wetland plant species have become extirpated
from the state. The following statistics reflect how critical Illinois'
remaining wetland acres are to the survival of the state's biological resources.
- Approximately
47 of the 95 vertebrate species listed as threatened or endangered in
Illinois use wetlands at least some time during their life.
- Six of
the eight mammal species listed as threatened or endangered in Illinois
use wetlands to some extent.
- Three
of the seven amphibian species listed as threatened or endangered in
Illinois depend on wetlands.
- Eight
of the 15 reptile species listed as threatened or endangered in Illinois
use wetlands to some extent.
- Four of
the 31 fish species listed as threatened or endangered either live or
breed in wetlands.
- 26 of
the 34 Bird species listed as threatened or endangered in Illinois are
strongly associated with wetlands.
Approximately
18 percent of Illinois' native wetland plant species are listed as threatened
or endangered (Illinois Department of Natural Resources 1994 and State of
Illinois 1998).
[
Introduction | Biological Functions
| Threatened & Endangered Species | Hydrological
Functions | Water Quality |
Ground Water Recharge | Terrestrial
Functions | Aesthetics & Recreation
| Economics | Conclusion
]
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