Wildlife and Conservation Management - Forestry Natural Resources and Wildlife - Lecture Slides, Slides of Wildlife Ecology

Download Wildlife and Conservation Management - Forestry Natural Resources and Wildlife - Lecture Slides and more Slides Wildlife Ecology in PDF only on Docsity! Wildlife and Conservation Management Docsity.com I. Wildlife and Conservation Management: background A. Habitat: an area with the combination of resources (food, cover, and water) that allows for a species to survive. B. Habitat requirements vary by species • Generalist species • Specialist species • Migratory species Docsity.com Specialist Species (defined) Specialist species are usually limited by a narrow habitat, either by preference, tolerance of habitat destruction; characteristics include tolerating a limited climate range, need for specific diets and/or breeding/nesting sites an an inability to adapt to humans. Docsity.com Specialist Species Examples: Grizzly Bear Wolf Docsity.com Migratory Species (defined) Migratory species are animals that periodically or regularly move from one area to another for the purposes of breeding, food forage, and/or to avoid extreme climatic conditions; migratory patterns can range from thousands of miles to less than 30, depending on the species. Docsity.com Wildlife and Conservation Management: background (cont.) C. Ecosystem management recognizes that an “entire systems” approach must be taken in order to assure we look past specific species and view the ecosystem as a whole. Docsity.com Wildlife and Conservation Management background (cont.) 1. All elements, including species composition, predation, physical conditions are interrelated. 2. Ecosystems range in size from very small (pond or backyard) to very large (forest or ocean) Docsity.com Wildlife and Conservation Management background (cont.) D. Biodiversity: the variety and variability of living organisms and their environments E. Habitat Corridors: habitat tracts in which wildlife can travel safely between sites. Docsity.com Management of Wildlife (cont.) a. A group must contact the Secretary of the Interior to “list” a species. USFWS and NMFS judges submission b. The process is long and requires large amounts of public comment, hearings, and environmental impact reports. c. Species that are listed are protected from hunting, as well as granted protection for their critical habitat. Docsity.com Management of Wildlife (cont.) 3. 1976 National Forest Management Act requires a forest management plan must be created for all timber areas; plans must provide for both plant and animal well-being. 4. 1976 Federal Land Policy Management Act requires the BLM take all resources into account in the planning process. Half the revenue of grazing livestock on public land is spent to improve the land. Docsity.com Management of Private Lands B. Management of Private Lands 1. The majority of lands in the U.S. are privately owned. 2. Majority of States offer technical and financial assistance to land owners to encourage habitat improvement. Docsity.com III. Threats to Wildlife A. Habitat Fragmentation and Loss 1. Fragmentation is the severe subdivision of once continuous habitat areas. 2. Land development causes habitat fragmentations 3. Fragmentation can result in an out-right loss of habitat as well as blocking migration routes. Docsity.com Threats to Wildlife (cont.) 4. Fragmentation results in contiguous habitat zones surrounded by unsuitable habitat that places populations on “islands”, limiting the genetic pool. 5. In a few instances, well planned habitat corridors can link previously fragmented lands. Docsity.com Threats to Wildlife (cont.) B. Conflict over habitat management 1. Rights of private land owners regularly conflict with the concept of conservation and ecosystem management. a. One exception to this rule is in an endangered species case, the land owner is obligated by law to conserve the species. Docsity.com Threats to Wildlife (cont.) 5. Poaching is the illegal killing of wildlife a. Poaching-killing protected species, killing out of season, hunting in protected areas, killing animals protected by sex or size, killing animals by illegal methods, or illegal collection of specimens. Docsity.com Threats to Wildlife (cont.) b. State and federal agencies are focusing more on arresting poachers, setting up of decoys, wildlife stings and anonymous hot-lines. c. Some poachers target specific parts of animals; such as bear gallbladders and antlers of deer or elk. Docsity.com