WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT 11 Introduction to Environmental and Agricultural Sciences

Characteristics of Wildlife Wildlife — animals that are adapted to live in a natural environment without the help of humans. Vertebrates –Vertebrate — animal with a backbone. Wildness Allows the animal to survive without interference or help from humans. Contributes to human interest for hunting, fishing, bird watching and wildlife photography.

Characteristics of Wildlife Must be able to adapt to whatever they have in terms of food and the environment or they will perish Must possess natural senses that allow them to avoid predators and other dangers –Predators — animals that feed on small or weaker animals. –Prey — animal eaten by another animal Ability to avoid over-population –Wildlife can naturally avoid over-population by establishing and defending territories. –The stress of over-population can cause some animals to slow or stop reproducing altogether.

Types of Wildlife Relationships Parasitism Parasitism — one type of wildlife living and feeding on another without killing it. Wood ticks, which can live on almost any warm-blooded animal –Warm-blooded animals — animals with the ability to regulate their body temperature. Mutualism Mutualism — two types of wildlife living together for the mutual benefit of both. Tick picker birds that pick ticks off wildlife for nourishment. Plant seeds that will germinate only after having passed through the digestive tract of a specific bird or animal.

Types of Wildlife Relationships Predation Predation — a way of life where one type of wildlife eats another type. Foxes keep down populations of rodents & other small animals. Commensalism Commensalism — one type of wildlife living in, on, or with another without either harming or helping it. Vultures waiting to feed on the leftovers from another animal’s kill.

Types of Wildlife Relationships Competition Competition — two types of wildlife eating the same source of food. Foxes and owls compete for rodents & other small animals.

Relationships Between Predators and Prey When predators are in abundance, prey becomes scarce because of overfeeding. PredatorsPrey When prey becomes scarce, predators may starve or move to other areas. PreyPredators This allows the population of prey to increase again.

Types of Relationships Between Humans & Wildlife Biological Humans are animals very similar to wildlife Ecological Humans are but one species among nearly 1 million species of animals that inhabit the planet earth Economic Originally humans were dependent on wildlife for food, clothing and shelter. Today there are six positive values.

Positive Values of Wildlife Relationships with Humans Commercial Recreational Biological Aesthetic Scientific Social

Commercial Commercial –harvesting and sale of wildlife and/or wildlife products, raising wild animals for use in hunting, fishing or other purposes

Recreational Recreational – hunting and fishing, watching and photographing wildlife.

Biological Biological – pollination of crops, soil improvement, water conservation and control of harmful diseases and parasites.

Aesthetic Aesthetic - inspiration for artwork

Scientific Scientific - observation of wildlife by early humans to determine what was safe to eat

Social Social - ability of the wildlife species to increase the value of their surroundings simply by their presence

How has Man Abused Wildlife? Overhunting Senseless killing Reduced habitat Pollution of air and water Removal of a beneficial animal (example: wolf) Introduction of a foreign animal

Classifications of Wildlife Management Farm wildlife Forest wildlife Wetland wildlife Stream wildlife Lakes and ponds

Farm Wildlife Approved Practices Leaving unharvested areas in corners of fields Planting fence rows with shrubs and grasses to proved winter feed & cover Leaving brush piles when harvesting wood lots Leaving crop residues standing over the winter to provide food & cover Planting crops attractive to wildlife Providing water supplies for wildlife during dry periods Harvesting Hunting has little impact on spring breeding populations Excess population not harvested, usually die during winter Heavy hunting seldom causes severe damage to populations Sale of hunting rights increases income for farms and ranches

Forest Wildlife Survive best in forests that are of mixed-age trees Factors Influencing Wildlife Type and age of trees in the forest Density of the trees Natural forest openings Types of vegetation on forest floor Presence of natural predators Approved Practices Making clearings in the forest so that new growth will make twigs available for deer to feed on Selective harvesting so that trees of various ages exist in the forest to make a more suitable habitat for squirrels & other species of wildlife Leaving piles of brush for food & cover Managing harvests of forest products so that existing supplies of water are not contaminated.

Wetland Wildlife Wetlands include any land that is poorly drained swamps, bogs, marshes, shallow areas of standing water Wetlands — a lowland area often associated with ponds or creeks that is saturated with fresh water. Specifics of Wetlands for Optimum Use Open water areas = 1/3 of the wetlands Depth of standing water should not be more than about 18 inches Approved Practices Impounding water Establishing open, grassy areas around wetlands Planting millet, wild rice and other aquatic plants in wetlands Providing artificial nesting sites (wood duck boxes, old tires and islands surrounded by open water) Preventing pollution of water from agriculture, industry and domestic waste.

Stream Wildlife Two general categories – Warm Water & Cold Water Based on temperatures at which wildlife (fish) can best grow & thrive Approved Practices Preventing stream banks from being overgrazed by livestock Fencing the stream to limit access by livestock to reduce pollution and the destruction of stream banks Good erosion control practices on lands surrounding streams to help maintain clear, clean water Maintaining stream-side forestation to regulate stream temperatures during summer months Artificial rearing & stocking of desired species of stream wildlife Regulating sport fishing Stream Restoration of desired mix of fish species Remove unwanted species by netting, poisoning or electric shocking Regulating Sport Fishing Closed Seasons, minimum size limits, creel limits, restricted methods of catching fish.

Lake and Pond Wildlife Approved Practices Very similar to stream wildlife management Using artificial means of incorporating oxygen into the water to prevent fish kills Other Notes Easier to remove unwanted fish from lakes & ponds because the water is contained.