Download Conserving Wildlife

Basic Principles of
Agricultural/Horticultural
Science
Unit C 9-4
Problem Area 9
Conserving Natural
Resources
Lesson 4
Conserving Wildlife
Interest Approach
Name what you think of when wildlife
is mentioned.
Wildlife includes much more than
animals.
It relates to the plants that animals
both consume and use for shelter.
Wildlife relates to the environment in
its entirety.
Student Learning Objectives
Explain the meaning of wildlife
and how it is classified.
Identify the benefits and uses of
wildlife.
Explain the meaning of wildlife
habitat.
Describe wildlife endangerment
and protection.
Terms
Amphibians
Animal
Cover
Endangered
species
Extinct species
Fungi
Habitat
Invertebrates
Mammals
Monera
Predation
Predator
Terms
Prey
Protista
Rare species
Reptiles
Space
Threatened
species
Vertebrates
Wildlife
Wildlife
endangerment
Wildlife
protection
Wildlife
Wildlife is defined as all of the
things that live in the wild and
have not been domesticated.
Many people only view wildlife as
animals that live on land.
It also includes plants and
aquatic animals.
Wildlife kingdoms
Biologists classify wildlife into
kingdoms.
There are five kingdoms that are
further classified depending on
such things as habitat, body
structure and reproduction.
The five kingdoms are: animals,
plants, fungi, monera, protista
Animals
An animal is an organism that
gets its food by consuming
materials and can usually move
about.
The two major groups of animals
are:
Vertebrates, Invertebrates
Vertebrates
Animals that have a backbone.
They can be further divided into:
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fish
Vertebrates
Mammals are those whose
young are born alive and are
nourished by their mother’s milk.
Birds are vertebrates that fly.
They lay and incubate eggs until
the young are hatched.
Vertebrates
Reptiles are animals with scalecovered skin and a body
temperature regulated by their
environment.
Examples include lizards and
turtles.
Fish are aquatic vertebrates that
live in freshwater or saltwater.
Vertebrates
Amphibians typically live on land
and reproduce in water.
They have appendages for
walking and climbing.
Examples are frogs and toads.
Invertebrates
Invertebrates are animals that do
not have a backbone.
Their bodies are usually covered
with a hard material that provides
structure and protection.
Examples include insects and
lobsters.
Plant wildlife
Plants that grow in natural
environments without human
effort are considered wild.
Plants include trees, grasses,
shrubs, vines, and wildflowers.
Fungi
Fungi absorb food from their
surroundings.
Fungi includes mold,
mushrooms, and mildew.
Some fungi require a microscope
to be seen.
Monera
Monera are small, single-celled
organisms.
For example, bacteria are
monera.
Protista
Protista are single-celled
organisms that include algae,
amoeba, and protozoa.
They provide seaweed in a body
of water.
Wildlife benefits
Wildlife provides a number of
benefits.
Some are easy to see while
others are not as obvious.
Wildlife is also used to meet
important needs of humans.
5 areas of wildlife benefits
Aesthetic benefits - those that people place
on wildlife for beauty and appeal.
Game benefits – fishing and hunting some
wildlife animals as game.
Economic benefits - derived from people
spending money to enjoy wildlife.
Scientific benefits - using wildlife in research
that solves problems.
Ecological benefits - each species making a
contribution to nature.
Needs filled by wildlife
Food - when wildlife is used as
food, it involves killing the animal
or plant.
Clothing - some animals are used
to make clothing. Their hides are
used in making furs and leather
goods.
Needs filled by wildlife
Medicine - human medicine often
uses substances taken from wild
animals and plants.
Shelter - products from trees and
other plants are used in making
lumber that ends up in homes.
Habitat
Habitat is the area in which an animal
lives.
Habitat needs differ greatly by species.
If an animal’s habitat does not meet its
needs, the animal will die or move on
to another location.
Habitat is made up of four major
components: food, water, cover, space
Components of habitat
Food provides the nutrients
animals need to carry out life
functions.
If food is not available in
adequate supply, an animal
cannot continue living there.
Components of habitat
Water is an essential nutrient for
life.
A habitat must offer an adequate
supply throughout the year.
Components of habitat
Cover is the protection from
weather and predators afforded
to animals by their habitat.
It offers a safe place to live and
rear their young
Components of habitat
Space is the size of the home
range an animal needs.
The home range is the area over
which an animal routinely travels.
Wildlife endangerment
Is a condition in the ecosystem
that threatens the continued
existence of a species.
Endangerment affects a species’
ability to reproduce and maintain
its population.
Reducing threats to a species
helps it to continue its existence.
Categories of endangerment
Rare species - one that exists in
small numbers and could
become threatened.
They are often kept in zoos for
their protection.
Categories of endangerment
Threatened species - one that is
facing serious dangers and is likely
to become endangered.
There are over 125 species in the
U.S. that are classified as
threatened.
Categories of endangerment
Endangered Species is one that is
threatened with becoming extinct.
It is not reproducing in sufficient
numbers to maintain its population.
About 400 species in the U.S.
including grizzly bears and gray
wolves, are considered
endangered.
Categories of endangerment
Extinct species - one that no
longer lives on the earth.
The species has died out because
it could not reproduce in numbers
sufficient to maintain its existence.
Once extinct, a species cannot
come back.
Wildlife Protection
Reducing or eliminating
threats to a wildlife species.
Wildlife populations can be
promoted through practices
that reduce threats.
Threats to wildlife populations
Loss of habitat - As homes,
factories, cropland, and schools
are developed, habitat is lost.
This loss is the greatest threat to
wildlife.
It can be countered by promoting
new habitat growth in and around
developed areas.
Threats to wildlife populations
Health and age - A wildlife
population that is healthy and
able to reproduce is more stable.
Adequate food supplies influence
health and age.
Threats to wildlife populations
Predation is the capture and
consumption of one animal by another.
An animal that consumes another is
known as a predator.
If there is an over-abundance of
predators within a given area, the
species that is the prey will be
threatened.
A prey is the animal consumed by the
predator.
Threats to wildlife populations
Pollution - Most pollution is the
result of human activity.
Controlling pollution reduces
threats to the habitat and health
of wildlife.
Threats to wildlife populations
Hunting - Hunting can be a tool
for managing wildlife populations
or it can threaten their existence.
Hunting laws regarding limits on
the quantity to be taken have
been established to protect
wildlife.
Review / Summary
What is the meaning of wildlife and
how is wildlife classified?
What are the benefits and uses of
wildlife?
What is the meaning of wildlife
habitat?
What are the types of wildlife
endangerment?
How is wildlife protected?