Download Wildlife Biome

Compare and Contrast the Following:
Biology: the science that deals with the life processes and characteristics of plants and
animal
Botany: the branch of biology that deals with plants
Zoology: the branch of biology that deals with animals (growth, structure or anatomy,
nutrition, reproduction, and classification of animal species)
Classification of Animals:
1. Kingdom
2. Phylum
3. Class
4. Order
5. Family
6. Genus
7. Species
_Kingdom_: 1st and broadest classification
-usually have many cells, move about, and get food by ingestion (eating)
Divisions:
1. Anamalia
2. Plantae
3. Fungi
4. Protista
_Phyllum_: 2nd division
3 most __important__ to wildlife:
1. _Chordata_: have internal skeletons and back bones
(deer, fish, snakes, and birds)
2. _Anthropoda_: external skeletons and bodies divided into segments. Legs are
jointed
(ticks, insects, crawfish, shrimp, and lobster)
3. _Molluska__: hard outer shells; bodies not divided into segments
(snails, octopuses, squid, abalone, oysters, clams, and mussels)
Class: 3rd division: mammalia, reptiles, aves
Order: based on feeding characteristics: carnivores, omnivores, herbivores
Family: anatomically similar animals
Genus: do not naturally _breed_with others
Species: similar species within a Genus; breed with each other
Scientific Names:
-used world wide
-combination of the animal’s _genus__and _species_
-written in _italics_ (or underlined – each word separately)
-first letter of genus capital
EXAMPLE: Odocolius virginianus – whitetail deer
Canus lupus – gray wolf
Mitosis and Meiosis:
Meiosis
Is the form of cell division which results reducing the chromosome number from
the diploid # to the haploid #.
Occurs only in the sex cells, sperm and ovum.
Mitosis
Is the form of cell division which results in the formation of identical daughter
cells, keeps the chromosome number constant.
Tissue growth and repair.
Occurs throughout the body except in the sex cells.
Mitosis:
Interphase:
Prophase: 1st stage in cell reproduction
-the membrane around the nucleus disappears, and the chromosomes appear
Chromatid: each half of the replicated chromosome
Centromere: point where the chromatids are attached together
Metaphase: chromosomes pulled to the center by the centrioles
-Spindles: fibers attached at the centromeres that connect the pairs of
chromosomes together
-Centrioles: where the spindle fibers attached to cell structures; these pull
chromosomes to the center of the cell
Anaphase: chromatids are pulled apart by the spindles as the cell elongates
-full set of chromosomes become evident
Telophase: last phase of mitosis
-Cell becomes constricted with a new cell membrane forming
-the two share the cytoplasm equally
Draw the phases of Mitosis:
Gametes: reproductive cells
Fertilization: process by which the male and female gametes join together in a single cell
Zygote: first cell that is formed in the creation of a new individual
Draw the phases of Meiosis:
Anatomy and Physiology:
_Anatomy_: study of the form, shape, and appearance of the animal
_Physiology_: study of the functions of parts of the anatomy
Skeletal system:
-bony framework that gives the body shape and protects the animal
_vertebrates_: animals with a backbone and classified as chordata phylum
_invertebrates_: without backbones and have outer skeletons (exoskeleton)
Digestive system:
-prepares food for use by the body
-parts: mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and the anus
1. _Ruminants_: stomach divided into 4 compartments
-eat food high in fiber and low nutritional value
-microorganisms in the stomach convert into nutritious forms
EXP: deer, cows, sheep, goats
2. _Non-ruminants_: (monogastrics) have one simple stomach
EXP: human
3. _Rodents_: small gnawing and nibbling monogastrics
EXP: mice, rats, capybara
4. _Aves_: birds
Respiratory system:
-all animals require _oxygen_
-release _carbon dioxide_
-fish use _gills_ to do this
Muscular system:
-creates bodily _movement_ and _support_
-attached to the skeleton by __tendons
-contractions of the _tissue_ in muscles cause body movements
_Circulatory_ system:
-network of vessels that move blood throughout the body of an organism
-major organ –_Heart_
-pumping action causes the blood to flow
Excretory system:
-rids the body of _waste_
-major wastes: water, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, undigested solid foods
-released as _perspiration_ through the skin by some animals
-water, nitrogen, and other substances are removed from the blood by the
_kidneys_ and excreted as _urine_
Nervous system:
-conducts impulses from the _brain_ to the _muscles_ and from the muscles back
to the brain
-_Spinal cord_ is the major part of this system; if damaged, may cause _paralysis_
of parts of their bodies
Integumentary system:
-the _skin_
-protects the internal organs and gives shape to the body
-provides a place for hair, scales, or fur to grow
-keeps body fluids from being lost
-helps regulate _temperature_
Reproductive system:
_Sexual_ Reproduction: union of sperm and egg
gestation: period of development
parturition: act of giving birth
-fertilization may occur internally or externally
_internally_: most mammals
_externally_: fish, reptiles, and amphibians lay eggs that are then fertilized
by the male’s release of sperm
_Asexual_ Reproduction: production new organisms without the sexual union of
male and female cells
-common in _plants_ only
-cloning cells is the only method in animals
Wildlife Biome
Biome: a large area with a distinct combination of plants and animals
-influenced by climate precipitation, soil, etc…
-can be aquatic or terrestrial
5 kinds of terrestrial biomes found in the US:
1. Tropical: near both sides of the equator
Two seasons – wet and dry
Forest: 90inches of rain or more per year
-birds, frogs, insects – mostly animals that live in tree tops
Grassland: low rainfall
-good for grazing animals
2. Temperate:
-most of the _Southern US_
-moderate or heavy _precipitation_
-valuable _tree_ growth
examples: pine, oak, cedar, mesquite
-major food sources are: acorns, cones, berries, fruit
common wildlife: squirrel, deer, quail, rabbit
3. Tundra & Taiga
Tundra: arctic area or high elevation
- low temperatures and permafrost
- short growing season
- lichens, mosses, and few shrubs and grasses
(_permafrost_: permanently frozen ground)
Taiga: cold climates where large confers grow
4. Grassland and Savannas
-food source: grass
-low precipitation
-western US and Canada
-good for grazing: cattle, goats, sheep, bison
-predatory animals found here: coyotes, wolves, cougars
Savanna: similar to grassland, but soil fertility is too low to support major growth of
grass
-none in North America
-Examples: Africa, India, Brazil, Australia
5. Desert: little or no rain
Examples: California, Nevada, Arizona
Aquatic biomes:
1. Lakes and ponds:
Natural or artificial reservoirs
-most are freshwater and temperature varies
Food sources: algae, insects, and other small creatures
Used to improve habitat: treetops, limbs, debris
2. Streams:
-flowing water moves from _high_ to _low elevation_
Small Streams: creeks
Large Streams: rivers
3. Oceans and Seas
Typically _salt water_
At places, freshwater and saltwater mix to form a habitat: estuaries
4. Wetlands and Estuaries:
Swamp: a land area where water stands on the surface during wet times of the year
Marsh: low-lying land area covered with water during the wet times of the year
Habitat Evaluation
Habitat: an animal’s home
Consists of what four things:
1. food
2. cover
3. water
4. space
Basic Habitat Needs:
Food:
Key component of food is _Energy__.
Source of energy for all living things is the __sun__.
Biotic pyramid – AKA – graphical _food chain_.
Inorganic: non-living matter
Examples: minerals, air, water
Organic: animal by products or decaying matter
Example:humus
Producers: plants
Consumers: animals, humans
Decomposers: bacteria, larva, worms
The internal process by which an organism gets energy from food is: __metabolism__
Physical = search for food and ingesting it
Chemical = digestion
** The __greater__ the variety of foods in an animal’s diet, the better chance they have
for survival**
Forbs: low growing broad leaf plants
Water:
_siltation__ (entry of silt into the water), _sewage_, and other pollutants damage aquatic
life
_terrestrial_ species are also affected by pollutants because their food can’t grow and
they need clean water to drink.
Not all species need a body of water to survive!!
Examples: quail, dove, javelina
Vertical strata in an aquatic habitat are influenced by other physical conditions such as:
1. depth
2. light
3. carbon dioxide
4. temperature
5. pressure
6. salinity
7. oxygen
Cover:
Vegetation or other material that provides safety in a habitat is considered __cover__.
Used for:
1. nesting
2. resting
3. escape
4. protection
5. mating
_vertical stratification_: the physical nature of a community organized into layers.
-based on: habitat
Habitat (cover and vegetation) stages or layers:
1. bare ground
2. grass (annual forbs)
3. tall grass (annual forbs)
4. shrubs
5. young trees
6. mature trees
Edge: the area where two habitats meet
-greater contrast has more species of animal wildlife than those with less contrast
Interspersion: mixing a lot of different stages with in an area
-supports a greater variety of wildlife
_AerialPhotos_: identify and count the number of times a habitat changes.
The _greater_ the number, the _bettter_ the habitat for species.
** _soil__ and _climate_ may restrict habitat to fewer stages**
** One stage may require __weeks_, __months__, and _years_ to grow.
Space:
Space provides:
1. air
2. food
3. cover
_Home_Range_: the space an animal normally uses for living
_Territory__: an area smaller than the home range.
-helps overcrowding
Dominance: one or more species control habitat conditions that influence other species
_predator_: species that hunts and uses other animals for food
_prey_: the animal used for food.
The term used to describe the number of organisms in an area: _population_
A measure of how crowded or sparse organisms are in an area: _population density_
The number of births or deaths per 1,000 population:_birth rate_ and _death rate_
How do animal populations change?
1. Birth rate
2. death rate
3.immigration – move in area
4. emigration – move out of an area
Featured Species: one species that will be promoted through improved habitat
Species Richness: the number of different species found in an area
Biological Surplus: extra number of animals
_renewable_resources_: living, natural resources that can be replenished.
____indicator species___: those animals unique to a particular community
Community: plants and animals living together in dependence or relationships that
constantly change
__climax________ community: last stage in succession; can’t change any farther
Habitat Evaluation and Management
_Land_Steward: a caretaker of the soil
_Wildlife_Steward: a caretaker of animals in the wild
Wildlife Stewards ask themselves the following questions about animals:
1. Do they have a good habitat?
2. Do they have future?
3. Are there too many animals for the habitat to support?
Ways man can disrupt natural food processes:
1. Construction
2. Farming
3. Overgrazing
4. Pollution
5. Over-harvesting
6. Under-harvesting
7. Habit destruction - car
Natural disruption of habitat can be from:
1. Fire
8. Mud slide
2. Flood
9. Freeze
3. Drought
10. Volcano
4. Tornado
11. Earth quake
5. Snow
6. Hurricane
7. Avalanche
What factors limit production of wildlife species?
1. Hunting
2. Disease
3. Starvation
4. Over harvesting
5. Predators
6. Accidents
7. Old Age
8. Over population
Management Practices:
1.Animal Damage: Control of pests that are causing extensive damage to target species.
Common pests:
Blackbirds and starlings – damage quail and waterfowl food plots
Hawks and owls – quail, turkey, pheasant
Eagles – fawns
Coyotes, bobcats, and dogs – all species
Fox – waterfowl, turkeys, and quail
Mountain lion – deer
Feral Hog – destruction of habitat
Skunks and raccoons – eat eggs and animal foods
2.Brush Management: Maintenance and creation of diverse habitat types.
Methods:
Tree doze, grub, chain, root plow, rake, disc, roller chop, herbicides, goats
Advantages/Uses:
Restore natural plant community balance
Create a desired plant community
Reduce competition for space, moisture, sunlight, and nutrients between desirable and
undesirable plants
Manage noxious woody plants
Restore desired vegetation cover to protect soils, control erosion, reduce sediment,
improve water quality, and enhance stream flow.
Maintain or enhance wildlife habitat
Improve forage accessibility, quality, and quantity for livestock and wildlife
Protect life and property from wildlife hazards
Improve visibility and access for handling livestock
Manipulate woody species
Create a diversity of habitat types
Ability to create a desired landscape for management, aesthetics, hunting
Ability to improve the types, quality, and productivity of food producing plants
Negative:
Goats degrade deer, turkey, quail, and javelina
Goating, burning, and herbicides are nonselective
Mechanical produces major ground disturbances which retards succession and causes
temporary erosion
Can change plants from one undesirable species to another undesirable
Benefits some species at the expense of others
3.Cropland Management: manages cropland to provide food and/or shelter
Basic ways cropland can be managed to favor wildlife:
-Choices of crops grown
-Harvesting of crops
-Plowing of crop stubble
-Intensity of weed control,
-Growth of weeds and brush along field edges
4.Food Plots: provide quality supplemental food supplies to ensure an adequate diet and
to decrease nutritional deficiencies during stress periods for wildlife
Advantages/Uses:
-Improve inferior habitat for deer and all birds
-Carry birds through weather emergencies
-Supply essential nutrients at specific times
-Concentrate birds for hunting
Negative: expense
5. Grazing Management: the manipulation of grazing and browsing animals to
accomplish a desired result on rangeland, pastureland, grazed forest land, native pasture,
hayland, and grazed cropland
Grazing management decisions that affect wildlife are:
-stocking rate, kinds of livestock, pasture rest, and livestock exclusion
6. Prescribed Burning: fire applied to a specific area, for a specific purpose, under
exacting weather conditions to achieve specific management objectives.
Advantages/Uses:
Maintain and improve wildlife habitat
Improve plant diversity
Control some undesirable woody plants
Removal of grass “rough”
Improve browse production
Remove dense growth
Suppress woody plant invasion
Effective and economical means of managing wildlife habitat
Create openings or edge
Improve palatability and nutrient content of browse and forbs
Keep juniper stands open
Keep prickly pear from invading
Improve insects
Maintain suitable nesting habitat
Negatives:
Injury to mast producing trees (oaks)
Conversion of browse to grass
Possible elimination of highly preferred species
Destruction of nesting habitat for some species
Temporary reduction of cover
7. Provide and Manage Water: provide water for both drinking and habitat as needed
by target species.
-Waterfowl need constant management
-Refer to species notes for species specific requirements
8. Range Planting: provides diversity of plants and replaces plants that have been
removed.
Factors to consider:
-Select adapted plant species
-Select plant species with high value to wildlife
-Implementation costs
-Proper planting technique
-Proper management of area
9. Disking: disturbing the soil surface with disk, plow, or harrow to expose mineral soil.
Produces heavy-seeded foods in the winter
Favors greenery plants that attract bugs
Keeps food plants from becoming crowded out by less desirable vegetation
Helps prevent erosion
10. Overseed Legumes: interseed existing vegetation with a legume by means of seed
distribution with a cyclone type seeder or drill.
Overseed monoculture grass areas.
Legume pastures have excellent conditions for bugs (birds)