Invasive species

Bog turtle, courtesy of Gary Peeples/USFWS

The Party Guest That No One Invited

Invasive Species are a Looming Threat

Purple Loosestrife photo courtesy of Ryan Hodnett, 2017.

Reed Canary Grass photo courtesy of Born1945, 2007.

Phragmites photo courtesy of Forrest and Kym Starr, 2007.

PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE

Purple Loosestrife is especially dangerous to Bog Turtles. In addition to drying out their ecosystems, it also grows in impermeable clumps that prevent the turtles from being able to burrow and dive as they usually do, which is an important part of their ability to hide from predators (Endangered Species Coalition, 2019).

REED CANARY GRASS

Reed Canary Grass is a major threat to wetland ecosystems,. It grows up to six feet tall, and forms unassailable walls that block out native grasses ( Wisconsin Wetlands Association , 2017)

PHRAGMITES

Phragmites are an invasive species of reed grass, which overcrowd the native species, and take up valuable resources such as space and water (Wisconsin Wetlands, 2017).

BOG TURTLE