Defining Wildlife Habitat & Recognizing Its Importance

Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards Addressed! HS‐LS2‐6. Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem. [Clarification Statement: Examples of changes in ecosystem conditions could include modest biological or physical changes, such as moderate hunting or a seasonal flood; and extreme changes, such as volcanic eruption or sea level rise. HS‐LS2‐8. Evaluate the evidence for the role of group behavior on individual and species’ chances to survive and reproduce. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on: (1) distinguishing between group and individual behavior, (2) identifying evidence supporting the outcomes of group behavior, and (3) developing logical and reasonable arguments based on evidence. Examples of group behaviors could include flocking, schooling, herding, and cooperative behaviors such as hunting, migrating, and swarming. HS‐LS4‐6. Create or revise a simulation to test a solution to mitigate adverse impacts of human activity on biodiversity.* [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on designing solutions for a proposed problem related to threatened or endangered species, or to genetic variation of organisms for multiple species.]

Bell Work / Objectives Describe and list the types of wildlife habitat. List habitat requirements for selected species of animal wildlife. Describe habitat mix. List the goals of habitat production. Describe selected management practices for small areas of habitat.

Terms Biome Biotic pyramid Clear-cut Cover Desert Edge Estuary Featured species Firebreaks Home range Interspersion Metabolism Permafrost Savanna Space Species richness

Terms Stream Taiga Territory Tundra Understory Vegetation management

What do you see in this image? Various Land Areas What do you see in this image? Dry Wet Hot Cold What kind of wildlife may be found?

What are the types of wildlife habitat? Habitat for animal wildlife can be classified based on ecosystems. Ecosystems are in areas known as biomes. Biomes are large areas with distinct combinations of animals and plants. There are five types of terrestrial biomes found in the United States. Four of which are found in NM!

5 Types of Terrestrial Biomes Tropical areas near the equator. Areas in forest or grassland with high temperatures. Tend to have high rainfall with two seasons: wet and dry. Birds, insects, frogs, and many other small animals occupy the tops of trees. Tropical grassland areas tend to have low rainfall but still provide habitats for small grasses and forbs. This provides good habitat for grazing animals, snakes, rodents, and lizards.

5 Types of Terrestrial Biomes Temperate forest habitats cover much of the southern U.S. Both conifer and deciduous trees are present. The precipitation varies from moderate to heavy. Berries, acorns, fruit, and cones are produced for squirrel, deer, rabbit, and quail.

5 Types of Terrestrial Biomes Grasslands and Savannas host the predominant vegetation of grass. The precipitation is too low to support trees. There are many grazing animals such as deer, elk, and bison, and many other small rodents, reptiles, and birds. A savanna is another name for a grassland that is generally used in South America.

5 Types of Terrestrial Biomes Tundra and taiga are both cold climates found in North America. Tundra is in the Arctic area or at other high elevations and is characterized by low temperatures and permafrost (permanently frozen ground). Many lichens, mosses, a few shrubs, and some grasses grow in tundra areas.

5 Types of Terrestrial Biomes Taiga areas have large conifer forests that can withstand low temperatures and heavy loads of snow.

5 Types of Terrestrial Biomes (cont.) A desert is a sandy area with very dry habitat with little or no rain. Temperatures range from very hot to very cold. Moist areas may grow shrubs or scrub trees.

4 Types of Aquatic Biomes Lakes and ponds are natural or artificial reservoirs of earth that usually hold freshwater. The water temperatures vary with the surrounding climate and source of the water. Algae, insects, and other small creatures are sources of food for fish, shellfish, and other aquatic wildlife.

4 Types of Aquatic Biomes A stream is flowing water that moves from higher to lower elevation. Some of this water is from ground runoff, springs, or released by users. Creeks are small streams; rivers are large streams. This is the most common aquatic biome in New Mexico.

4 Types of Aquatic Biomes Oceans and Seas result from the flow of freshwater streams into their saltwater body. Some species prefer the mix of fresh and saltwater in habitats.

4 Types of Aquatic Biomes Wetlands and estuaries have a big effect on land areas and serve as important habitats for some species of animal wildlife. Swamps and marshes are wetland area along inland streams. An estuary is the area where a stream flows into an ocean. The wildlife that live here can tolerate both freshwater and brackish water.

Review

What are habitat requirements for selected species of animal wildlife? Wildlife species have life requirements that must be met by their habitat to insure well-being, regardless of the biome inhabited. Food Water Cover Space

Life Requirements Food All living things require food. Food provides the nutrients needed to live, grow, and reproduce. A key component of food is energy. The series of transfers of food energy from one organism to another is called a biotic pyramid. The internal process by which an organism gets energy from food is metabolism.

Life Requirements Water This is the basic need of life. Waters chemical structure is H20. With terrestrial habitats, water determines what species of plants will grow. These plants will determine which animals live there. In aquatic habitats, there are damaging pollutants such as siltation, sewage, etc. that will affect life. Some wildlife get most of their water through the food that they eat, while many need a watering area for drinking once or twice a day.

Life Requirements Cover This is needed for most wildlife species, and is sometimes referred to as shelter. Cover is the vegetation or other material that provides safety in a habitat. Animals use cover for nesting, resting, and protection from predators and adverse weather.

Life Requirements Space Space provides air, food, and cover for wildlife species. Space is the area around an organism. The requirements vary with season, animal, and quality of the habitat. The space an animal normally uses for living is called home range. It is where the animal gets food, water, and cover. For example the home range of a cougar in NM may exceed fifty square mile. Within a home range, and individual animal may establish a territory (area smaller that the home range).

What is habitat mix? Many animal wildlife species require more than one stage of succession in their habitat. Two stages: Interspersion Edge

Interspersion Interspersion is mixing lots of different stages within an area. The best way of measuring the amount of interspersion is to use the interspersion index principle.

Interspersion This involves counting the number of times a habitat changes from east to west and north to south in aerial photographs. Without dispersal areas, animals have limited access.

Edge Edge is the area where two habitats meet. It is also known as ecotone. Habitats with a large amount of edge provide more food, water, and cover for a variety of species than areas of the same vegetation type.

Edge Edge quality is measured by the transition that occurs. Edges with high contrast have more species of animal wildlife than those with low contrast.

What are the goals of habitat production? Habitat management influences the kinds and diversity of species attracted to the area. Two main goals: Provide a habitat for a specific wildlife species. Provide habitats for many different wildlife species.

To Provide a habitat for a specific wildlife species. Two Main Goals… To Provide a habitat for a specific wildlife species. Most habitat is managed for a featured species or for species richness. Featured species – species that will be promoted through improved habitat.

Featured Species is Whitetail Deer Establishment of food plots to control feeding areas for deer are common. Especially when hunting will be used as a management tool. This would be a form of edge management. This is an example of a year round management plot.

Two Main Goals… When managing a habitat for a featured species, it is important to manage a habitat to provide for the needs that are in shortest supply. This may be water, food, or cover. In selecting habitat management practices, the effects of practices on species other than the featured species must be studied. In New Mexico water is the most common management tool for wildlife.

To provide habitats for many different wildlife species. Two Main Goals… To provide habitats for many different wildlife species. Species richness is the number of different species found in an area.

Two Main Goals… The following are a part of the wildlife management plan to promote species richness: a mixture of successional stages is present; unbroken block sizes are of 10 to 40 acres; the edges have high contrast; and a wide variety of vegetation layers is present within each area containing only one successional stage.

Two Main Goals… When managing habitat for species richness, the goal is to provide some habitat for as many species as possible.

There are several practices used in managing habitats for wildlife. What are some selected management practices for small areas of habitat? There are several practices used in managing habitats for wildlife. The major practices include: Vegetation Management Seeding Water Sources Fire Fertilizer Site Preservation

Vegetation Management Vegetation management is using practices that promote the growth of desired plant species. This can involve removing understory to promote habitat for large animals. Understory - vegetation that grows beneath trees in a woodland. In NM as in other areas it may mean removal of invasive plant species such as cactus, yucca, creosote or mesquite.

Vegetation Management Creating clearings is done by clear-cutting small areas within thickly-wooded areas to attract deer and elk. Clear-cut means that all the trees in an area are cut.

Vegetation Management Thinning an area is done by selectively removing some of the trees in a wooded area. This create holes in the tree canopy and allows more room for smaller trees to grow and improves edge quality.

Seeding Establishing food plots by seeding promotes wildlife populations into an area. Seeding is used to increase the plant population. Using species preferred food helps target desired populations into an area. Some common plants used in seeding include: grasses, forbs, and trees.

Water Sources Water is necessary in order to live. Ponds, streams, and even lakes are good sources of water for many types of wildlife animals. In NM livestock water tanks are a very important source of wildlife water. Water is pumped by windmills, solar pumps and motors. Earthen tanks filled by runoff are also very important sources of water. It is important to keep these areas free of pollution in order to insure a healthy population.

Fires Carefully planned fires are a benefit to habitat growth. Controlled burns should never be used in dry areas because wildfires can develop. Firebreaks are shallow ditches or trenches that outline the fire in order to assure that it is controlled. Fire removes twigs, leaves, and other dead vegetation on the ground that has accumulated over the years and some invasive plants. Properly using fire helps to renew understory and allows for browse to grow.

Fertilizer is used to assure nutrients for adequate plant growth. Plant species require different nutrients, so it is important to research these topics before purchasing a fertilizer. Soil testing may be needed in order to determine the kind of fertilizer to use. When fertilizing, apply evenly over the land. It will produce best results on grasses, forbs, and trees. Due to our large land mass and low rainfall in New Mexico it is not generally a wise investment to attempt to fertilize wildlife habitat.

In some cases, it is best to leave the area undisturbed. Site Preservation In some cases, it is best to leave the area undisturbed. The area must be studied in advance because some practices may destroy food supplies and habitats of animal wildlife and cause them to leave.

Review

Review / Summary What are the types of wildlife habitat? What are habitat requirements for selected species of animal wildlife? What is habitat mix? What are the goals of habitat production? What are some selected management practices for small areas of habitat?

The End!