1. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife www.masswildlife.org Pam Landry, MassWildlife Education Coordinator pam.landry@state.ma.us Photos by Bill Byrne, MassWildlife Photographer, unless otherwise noted

2. 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!

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. Identify Wildlife by Bio-facts

7. Role within the Ecosystem

8. Habitat Assessment

9. 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

10. 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)

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

12. Adaptations (anatomical)

13. Adaptations (physiological)

14. Adaptations (behavioral)

15. Predator - Prey

16. Food Chains/Food Webs

17. 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

18. Carrying Capacity cultural biological

19. Populations not Individuals

20. 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

21. 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

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

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

24. Game & Non-Game Species

25. Methods used to Determine Abundance & Distribution

26. 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

27. 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

28. Missing from native range but not extinct Extirpated:

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

30. Habitat Loss & Fragmentation

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

32. 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 www.masswildlife.org www.masswildlife.org

33. Living with Wildlife Managing people, wildlife & habitat

34. 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)