Over the years, species that were once on the brink of extinction have made remarkable recoveries thanks to conservation efforts. Impressively, some of these species have played significant roles in saving American ecosystems, making them true heroes! This is how endangered species have saved American ecosystems.
1. The Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
The Hawaiian islands are some of the most biodiverse places in the U.S., but invasive species like rats, cats, cane toads, mongooses, goats, pigs, and various non-native plants have put many native animals at risk. In 1977, the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge was created on Hawaii’s Big Island to protect the alalā, also known as the Hawaiian crow, which has gone extinct in the wild. It now holds many endangered species, including the Hawaiiakepa, Hawaii creeper, akiapōlāau, the io (Hawaiian hawk), and the ōpeape`a (Hawaiian hoary bat).
2. Sea Otters
In 1977, sea otters were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Their numbers descended because of the fur trade along the coasts of California and Oregon. As their numbers dropped, sea urchin populations increased, feeding on the kelp forests that other marine animals relied on. Without these kelp forests, shorelines became more susceptible to erosion and greenhouse gases. Luckily, over the course of forty years, sea otter populations tripled, and they began to feed on the harmful sea urchin population. The kelp forests immediately began to recover.
3. Gray Wolves
In 1995, gray wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park, and they transformed the entire ecosystem. In 1930, they were hunted to near extinction, causing elk populations to increase, which led to the overgrazing of willows and aspens. Streamside vegetation declined, causing erosion and habitat loss for songbirds. Beaver populations decreased because of a lack of suitable trees for dam-building. Once gray wolves were reintroduced, vegetation recovered, and birds, beavers, and fish returned as their habitats improved.
4. The San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge
The San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona was built in the early 1980s to protect endangered fish in the Yaqui River and the remaining parts of the Bernardino ciénega. This essential marsh serves as a corridor for migrating species like fish, birds, mammals, bees, butterflies, and amphibians who could not survive in the desert. It has also helped species like the threatened Chiricahua leopard frog, Mexican garter snake, and endangered lesser long-nosed bat.
5. Bald Eagles
During the 1960s, only 400 breeding pairs of bald eagles remained in the lower 48 states because of DDT, a harmful pesticide that thinned their eggshells and destroyed their populations. Thanks to the Endangered Species Act and DDT being banned, bald eagle populations increased significantly. Bald eagles have helped balance aquatic and terrestrial food webs, ensuring the health of the waterways and forests they inhabit.
6. Peregrine Falcon
DDT also led to a dramatic decline in peregrine falcon populations because of eggshell thinning. Once this harmful chemical was banned and breeding programs were implemented, peregrine falcon populations increased. These falcons are predators of medium-sized birds and have helped regulate prey populations, contributing to ecological balance.
7. Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
In 1992, the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge was established near Austin, Texas, to protect the golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo. Since then, it has also protected the state’s last remaining Ashe juniper and oak woodlands. In the last twenty years, the warbler and vireo’s populations have increased significantly.
8. Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Found in forests of northeastern Alabama, the Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge was built to protect the Indiana and gray bats. In 1977, the gray bat was listed as endangered due to mining, cave disturbance, vandalism, persecution, flooding, and deforestation. By 2006, its population had increased significantly. The Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is also home to endangered Price’s potato-bean plants, the Tennessee cave salamander, and the Rafinesque’s big-eared bat.
9. Penobscot River
During the 19th century, dams were built on the Penobscot River, creating a barrier for fish migrating to the ocean. Three of the eleven fish species that inhabited the river gained protection under the Endangered Species Act, and these dams were removed. Since then, fish have been able to swim freely in the Penobscot, enriching the river’s ecosystem by providing food for birds and mammals.
10. American Bison
The American bison was almost wiped off the planet by the 19th century because of excessive hunting and loss of habitat. Nowadays, there are separate efforts for conservation that ensure herds are protected across the globe. American bison act as grazers and have an impact on how plants interact with each other, thus promoting healthy biodiversity to ensure that grassland ecosystems remain strong.
11. Longleaf Pine Ecosystem
At a time, longleaf pine forests took up over 90 million acres across the southeastern U.S. These forests were soon targeted for logging and were converted for agricultural and residential use. This was harmful, as these trees were home to over 100 bird, 36 mammal, and 170 reptile and amphibian species. Thanks to the decreasing population of these trees, 29 longleaf pine-dependent species have been placed under protection under the Endangered Species Act.
12. Humpback Whale
Intensive commercial whaling brought humpback whales to the brink of extinction. International protection measures have allowed their populations to recover significantly. As major consumers of krill and small fish, humpback whales play a role in marine nutrient cycling, which supports the productivity of ocean ecosystems.
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