Wildlife Management “Wildlife Habitat Requirements” Video

What is Wildlife Habitat? The kind of place where an… Animal Bird Fish or plant live in a natural state.

kept in a favorable balance for Wildlife to survive. Elements of Habitat COVER FOOD WATER SPACE ARRANGEMENT These elements must be kept in a favorable balance for Wildlife to survive.

Cover Nesting area Breeding area Hiding place Resting place Safe place to sleep Feeding area; and Travel route

Food Ruminant Stomach Animals must eat Three types: Carnivores-meat eaters Herbivores-plant eaters Omnivores-consume both meat and plants Ruminant Stomach

Water Essential to all life Some Wildlife require no free water (can get water from diet) Some Require lots of free water These must have permanent source in habitat

Water cont.

Space Space or Territory requirements vary greatly among animals Mountain lion=up to 150 square miles House Wren=few as 150 square feet Effected by migration, immigration (in), emigration (out)

Arrangement Elements must be properly arranged for animal to use habitat Proximity is the limiting factor Each species has it’s own measure for distances between elements

Carrying Capacity Number of animals a habitat can support over a given period of time Not a constant number Changes as the condition of the habitat changes

How can we help?? Growing vegetation Provide structures Learn cover needs Plant trees and shrubs of various sizes and species Nest boxes for wood ducks Conifer plantings for ruffed grouse Video

Can our help be harmful? Problems arise when we do not help properly Animals (deer) may become too dependent May encourage overpopulations

Alternative to feeding… Encourage growth of natural sources of food Plant trees Wild apple trees Crops Wild rice Plant crops that provide both food and shelter for animals and birds.

Summary Five elements of a quality wildlife habitat are: cover, food, water, space and arrangement Any one can be a limiting factor Each species requires different types and amounts of each element

Assignment 3 different animals 3 different types of habitat i.e. Rainforest, tundra, ocean For each animal tell me what What in their habitat do they eat for food Be specific. Leaves or grass is not an acceptable answer What they use for cover How much water they need How many live in the environment (space) How many live near each other