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Historic Perspective on Wildlife in North America Understanding “why” sometimes requires perspective Vicariance Biogeography (sec. 20.3 of text) Climate change & associated shifts in habitat Human impact
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Example of Vicariance Biogeography
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Panamanian Land Bridge formed ~ 2.5 mya
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1) Species of all types, sizes, from all regions & habitats 2) Magnitude of human-caused extinction 3) Time scale of species losses 4) Size and growth rate of human population Prehistoric vs. Current Extinctions
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History of Wildlife Conservation in the US Periods/ eras: Pre-European settlement Abundance & Overexploitation Protection & Game Management Environment Awareness 1990s onwards …
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Pre-European Settlement (<1600) Native American dependence on wildlife Evidence of habitat modification & semi- domestication Co-existence
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Abundance & Overexploitation (1600-1900) Wildlife perceived as unlimited resource Market hunting decimated many species Bounties on predators common
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Heath Hen Great Auk Carolina Parakeet
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Abundance & Overexploitation (1600-1900) Overuse coincided with westward expansion Extinction of many common species Beginning of conservation laws for game species
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Protection & Game Management (1900-1960s) Extirpation (& near-extirpation) of previously common species Recognition of overexploitation End market hunting Laws to control harvest
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Protection & Game Management (1900-1960s) continued …. Establishment of state fish & game departments Wildlife Conservation as a Science (Leopold wrote “Game Management” in 1933) Conservation focus on game species
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Environmental Awareness (> mid-1960s) Greater public interest in wildlife conservation & environmental issues View of “wildlife” expands to include nongame species and non-consumptive uses Focus on species reintroduction (ESA) & restoration of ecosystems Wildlife as a part of biodiversity (1990’s)
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Biodiversity in the US
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