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

StreamTaigaTerritoryTundraUnderstoryVegetation management

Various Land Areas

What do you see in this image?DryWetHotCold

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 BiomesLakes 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 BiomesA 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 BiomesOceans 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.

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.FoodWaterCoverSpace

Life Requirements

FoodAll 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

CoverThis 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.

EdgeEdge 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.

EdgeEdge 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.

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.

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.

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 ManagementSeedingWater SourcesFireFertilizerSite 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 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.

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 / 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!