1. Importance of Wildlife

2. Wildlife—all plants, animals and other living things that have not been domesticated.
Domestication—the process of bringing living things under the control of humans

3. Wildlife Management
The process of keeping certain wildlife populations, including endangered animals, at desirable levels determined by wildlife managers.

4. Uses of Wildlife
Consumptive—taking or harvesting wildlife
Non-consumptive—watching or using wildlife so it is not destroyed or taken

5. Values of Wildlife
Commercial –the money realized from wildlife, including fish
Game—the value placed on wildlife that is used as game

6. Aesthetic—value people place on wildlife for its beauty or appeal
Scientific—value of wildlife for research or study
Ecological—the value realized from the role of each species in nature

7. Ecology—the study of ways organisms interact with the environment
Ecosystem—the sum of the living and non-living characteristics of an environment

8. Wildlife Conservation
-the wise use of wildlife resources; involves maintaining habitat that supports a species or community of species and protecting wildlife from destruction
-closely related to land use

9. Four areas of wildlife conservation
Research
Education
Law Enforcement
Management

10. Research Helps us understand wildlife and the habitat it needs
Systematic way of seeking answers to questions about wildlife
Carried out by industry as well as associations and government agencies
Helps in understanding habitat needs and how to promote good habitat growth

11. Education
Informs people about he roles they have in wildlife conservation
May be provided by schools, organizations, the media and other sources
All citizens need a general knowledge of wildlife, not just hunters!

12. Law Enforcement Ensures that laws related to wildlife are followed
Includes all areas: education, research and use
Main focus is to reduce violation of hunting laws

13. Management Important part of conservation
The art and science of manipulating a wildlife system to achieve a desired goal
Includes habitat production and human use of wildlife
Essential for the survival of wildlife as habitat decreases

14. Animals Wildlife animal—one that has not been domesticated
Exotics—usually found in zoos
Game—any animal hunted for sport or food;
deer, squirrels, quail, fish, elk and rabbit; many protected by laws

15. Habitat The physical area in which a wildlife species lives
Influenced by climate, topography, soil, water and presence of other organisms
Vary among the species
Species classified as terrestrial or aquatic

16. Terrestrial Wildlife
Species that live on land; must have water and nutrients to live
May live in trees, on surface, in the ground
Climate, elevation, rainfall and topography can influence where species will live

17. Aquatic Wildlife
Refers to species that live in water, all or part of the time
Fisheries—the study of the fish and related species in an area of water

18. Aquatic habitats may further be classified on the basis of salt content of the water
-Freshwater: little or no salt content
-Brackish: common where freshwater and saltwater flow together
-Saltwater: has high salt content, often parts per thousand

19. Wildlife Populations
The number of individuals in a group of organisms that occupy an area
Can include all of one species or a combination of species

20. Population density—the number of organisms in a given acreage
Natality—the number of new animals born in an area each year (birth rate); measured in number of births per 1000 animals
Mortality—the death rate of animals; measured in number of deaths per 1000 animals

21. Factors that effect Birth and Death Rates
Adequate food
Adequate shelter
Population density
Disease
Weather related disasters

22. Renewable Natural Resources
Wildlife is a renewable natural resource; can produce more of itself if conditions are favorable
Long term unfavorable conditions can result in extinction
Proper management of wildlife supports renewability

23. Carrying capacity—the number of a species that an area can support in a healthy condition
Overpopulation—when an area exceeds its carrying capacity, can result in stunted growth, disease, starvation and death

24. Biodiversity
The variety of living things that naturally exist in an area.
-essential in having a healthy environment and balanced ecosystem