1 Wildlife Management By Larry Stine Estherville Lincoln Central High School Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office June 2002

2 Competencies:  define wildlife terms  identify characteristics of wildlife  describe relationships between wildlife and humans  understand relationships with humans  describe classifications of wildlife  identify approved practices  discuss future of wildlife in the U.S.

3 Terms to Know  Wildlife  Habitat  Vertebrate  Predators  Prey  Parasitism

4 Terms to Know  Warm-blooded animals  Mutualism  Predation  Commensalism  Competition  Wetlands

5 In the early years....  Wildlife provided the bulk of food available  Supplies seemed exhaustible  Humans destroyed wildlife habitat

6 Characteristics of Wildlife  All vertebrate animals are wildlife  Vertebrates-animals with backbones  Have many of the same characteristics as humans:  growth processes  laws of heredity  general cell structure

7 Environment without control  Must adapt or perish  Possess senses for protection from predators  Avoid overpopulation

8 Wildlife Relationships  Parasitism  Mutualism  Predation  Commensalism  Competition

9 Parasitism  Relationship between two organisms, either plants or animals, in which one feeds on the other without killing it.  Parasites can be internal or external

10 Mutualism  Two types of animals that live together for mutual benefit  There are many examples of mutualism in the wildlife community

11 WHY IS THIS MUTUALISM?

12 Clownfish And Sea Anemones

13 Predation  When one animal eats another animal  Is important in controlling populations of wildlife

14 Lions and Buffalos

15

16

17 Commensalism  A Plant or animal that lives in, on, or with another, sharing its food, but not helping or harming it  One species is helped, but the other is neither helped or harmed

18 Cattle and Egrets

19 Competition  When different species of wildlife compete for the same:  food supply  nesting sites  breeding sites  One species may increase in numbers while the other declines

20

21 What are these plants competing for?

22 What resource are these animals and plants competing for?

23 Relationships Between Wildlife and Humans  Biological  Ecological  Economic  food  clothing  shelter

24 Six Positive Values  Commercial  Recreational  Biological  Aesthetic  Scientific  Social

25 Commercial  Sale of wildlife or wildlife products  Raising of animals for:  hunting  fishing

26 Recreational  Hunting and Fishing  Watching  Photographing

27 Biological  Value of the biological relationship between humans and wildlife is difficult to measure  Examples  Pollination of crops  Soil Improvement  Water conservation  Control of parasites

28 Aesthetic  Refers to beauty  Is not measurable in economic terms  Can contribute to the mental well-being of the human race

29 Scientific  Often benefits humans  Has existed since the beginning of time  Early humans watched wild animals to determine which plants and berries were safe to eat

30 Social  Difficult to measure  Wildlife has the ability to enhance the value of their surroundings just by their presence  Provide humans the opportunity for variety in outdoor recreation, hobbies, and adventure

31 Classifications of Wildlife Management  Farm  Forest  Wetlands  Stream  Lakes and Ponds

32 Farm Wildlife  Probably the most visible wildlife management classification  Includes:  development of fence rows  minimum tillage  improvement of woodlots  controlled hunting

33 Forest Wildlife  More difficult to manage  Planned so that timber and wildlife can exist at desired populations and possibly be harvested  Includes population controls to prevent habitat destruction

34 Wetlands Wildlife  Most productive wildlife management area  Includes all areas between dry upland and open water  Includes  marshes  swamps  bogs

35 Stream Wildlife  Often a difficult task  Water pollution and the need for clean water for a growing human population continue to increase at a rapid pace

36 Lake and Pond Wildlife  Normally easier than in streams  Concerns include:  population levels  oxygen levels  pollutants  availability of food resources

37 Approved Practices - Farm Wildlife  Usually a by-product of farming  Little attention usually given by the farmer except when cause crop damage or financial loss  Management involves providing habitat  Timing of operations is important  Planting crops attractive to wildlife  Providing water during dry periods

38 Approved Practices - Forest Wildlife  Types and numbers of wildlife differs with:  type and age of the trees  natural forest openings  types of vegetation on the forest floor  presence of natural predators  Management is geared towards increases numbers of desired species of wildlife  If desired populations are present the goal is to maintain those populations

39 Approved Practices - Wetland Wildlife  No area of American land is more important  Are constantly changing  Provide food, nesting sites, and cover  Ducks and geese are the most economically important types of wildlife that need wetlands  Other types include woodcock, pheasants, deer, bears, milk, muskrats, and raccoons

40 Approved Practices - Stream Wildlife  Two general categories:  warm water  cold water  Based on water temperature at which the wildlife, primarily fish, can best grow and thrive  Little difference in managing the two types  In general, fish are the type of stream wildlife that is managed

41 Approved Practices - Stream Wildlife  Maintenance of population levels is important  Removal of unwanted species by:  netting  poisoning  electric shocking  Artificial rearing and stocking  Regulations of sport fishing

42 Approved Practices - Lake and Pond Wildlife  Very similar to managing stream wildlife  Pollution must be controlled  Populations must be monitored and harvesting controlled  Differences include:  oxygen levels are critical in the summer  water temperatures are more variable  may have to drain to remove unwanted species

43 Future of Wildlife in the U.S.  A bright future is not ensured for all species  Human population continues to compete  Outlook is not bleak, however  Humans have recognized the ability to coexist  Humans are working to clean-up the environment  Parks and wildlife refuges are increasing in numbers