Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Pam Landry, MassWildlife Education Coordinator Photos by Bill Byrne, MassWildlife Photographer, unless otherwise noted

Wildlife in Massachusetts This presentation is not intended to address all possible strategies for preparation. The primary approach to preparation for taking and passing the test is…adequate study! This presentation is not intended to address all possible strategies for preparation. The primary approach to preparation for taking and passing the test is…adequate study!

What is Wildlife? Undomesticated species of plants and animals; includes but is not limited to, insects, spiders, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and mammals; Undomesticated species of plants and animals; includes but is not limited to, insects, spiders, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and mammals; ie. those species that do not rely on humans for food, water, or shelter

Essential Wildlife Topics Knowledge of Wildlife Knowledge of Wildlife Understanding Wildlife Ecology Understanding Wildlife Ecology Conservation & Management Conservation & Management Issues Involving Wildlife & Society Issues Involving Wildlife & Society

Natural History & Distribution (characteristics, food habits, habitat, breeding, behavior)

Identify Wildlife by Bio-facts

Role within the Ecosystem

Habitat Assessment

Knowledge of Wildlife Knowledge of Wildlife (natural history & distribution, bio-facts, role within ecosystem, habitat assessment) Understanding Wildlife Ecology Understanding Wildlife Ecology Conservation & Management Conservation & Management Issues Involving Wildlife & Society Issues Involving Wildlife & Society

Understanding Wildlife Ecology Basic wildlife needs Basic wildlife needs Adaptations Adaptations Predator-Prey Predator-Prey Food Webs/Food Chains Food Webs/Food Chains Limiting Factors Limiting Factors Carrying Capacity Carrying Capacity Populations Populations (science of the interrelations between living organisms & their environment)

Basic Wildlife Needs (food, water, shelter, space)

Adaptations (anatomical)

Adaptations (physiological)

Adaptations (behavioral)

Predator - Prey

Food Chains/Food Webs

Limiting Factors Influences in the life history of any animal, population of animals, or species Influences = food, water, shelter, space, disease, predation, climatic conditions, pollution, hunting, poaching, accidents

Carrying Capacity cultural biological

Populations not Individuals

Knowledge of Wildlife Knowledge of Wildlife (natural history & distribution, bio-facts, role within ecosystem, habitat assessment) Understanding Wildlife Ecology Understanding Wildlife Ecology (basic needs, adaptations, predator-prey, food webs, limiting factors, carrying capacity, populations) Conservation & Management Conservation & Management Issues Involving Wildlife & Society Issues Involving Wildlife & Society

Conservation & Management Conservation The use of natural resources in a way that ensures their continued availability to future generations The use of natural resources in a way that ensures their continued availability to future generationsManagement The application of scientific knowledge & technical skills to protect, preserve, conserve, limit, enhance or extend the value of wildlife & its habitat The application of scientific knowledge & technical skills to protect, preserve, conserve, limit, enhance or extend the value of wildlife & its habitat

Conservation & Management of Wildlife MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Environmental Law Enforcement Natural Heritage & Endangered Species

Hunting, Fishing, Trapping Highly regulated activities with seasons & bag limits

Game & Non-Game Species

Methods used to Determine Abundance & Distribution

Knowledge of Wildlife Knowledge of Wildlife (natural history & distribution, bio-facts, role within ecosystem, habitat assessment) (natural history & distribution, bio-facts, role within ecosystem, habitat assessment) Understanding Wildlife Ecology Understanding Wildlife Ecology (basic needs, adaptations, predator-prey, food webs, limiting factors, carrying capacity, populations) Conservation & Management Conservation & Management (conservation, management, agencies, hunting, fishing, trapping, game & non-game, wildlife management) Issues Involving Wildlife & Society Issues Involving Wildlife & Society

Listed Species Endangered: Native Species which are in danger of extinction throughout all or part of their range, or which are in danger of extirpation from MA, as documented by biological research & inventory Threatened: Native species which are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future, or which are declining or rare as determined by biological research & inventory Special Concern: Native species which have been documented by biological research or inventory to have suffered a decline that could threaten the species if allowed to continue unchecked, or which occur in small numbers or with restricted distribution or specialized habitat requirements that they could easily become threatened

Missing from native range but not extinct Extirpated:

Special Concern, Threatened, Endangered Habitat loss, unregulated or illegal killing or collecting, pesticides, pollution, competition with other species, disease, predation

Habitat Loss & Fragmentation

Non-native Species, Invasive Species, Introduced Species Donald Duerr, USDA Forest Service

Wildlife Diseases Wildlife Diseases Rabies Rabies Lyme Disease Lyme Disease West Nile Virus West Nile Virus Chronic Wasting Disease Chronic Wasting Disease Avian Influenza Avian Influenza Raccoon Roundworm Raccoon Roundworm White-nose syndrome White-nose syndrome

Living with Wildlife Managing people, wildlife & habitat

Knowledge of Wildlife Knowledge of Wildlife (natural history & distribution, bio-facts, role within ecosystem, habitat assessment) (natural history & distribution, bio-facts, role within ecosystem, habitat assessment) Understanding Wildlife Ecology Understanding Wildlife Ecology (basic needs, adaptations, predator-prey, food webs, limiting factors, carrying capacity, populations) Conservation & Management Conservation & Management (conservation, management, agencies, hunting, fishing, trapping, game & non-game, wildlife management) Issues Involving Wildlife & Society Issues Involving Wildlife & Society (listed species, habitat loss/fragmentation, non-native, invasives, diseases, living with wildlife, current issue)