Habitat Components What is a habitat? Physical area where an organism resides under natural conditions Must meet the needs of the species, if not the animal will die or need to migrate What are basic habitat components?
Food Provides nutrients to live, grow, move about, and reproduce Source of energy Water Basic needs of life Should be pollutant and contaminant free Does not supply energy What are basic habitat
components? Cover (or shelter) Provides safety Used for nesting, resting, escaping danger, and protection Affects interplay between predator and prey Predator hunts and uses other animals for food Prey animals used for food What are the basic habitat components?
Space Area around an organism, home range Territory area animal will defend Provides air, food sources, and cover Habitat Requirements of Wildlife: Food, Water, Cover, & Space http://www.clemson.edu/extension/natural_resou rces/wildlife/publications/pdfs/fs14_habitat_requi rements.pdf
Habitat needs must be Available in adequate amounts High enough quality to meet the needs of animals Distributed where animals need them How are habitats classified? Three general classes are aquatic,
amphibious, and terrestrial How are habitats classified? Aquatic animals can live in freshwater, saltwater, warm water, cool water, moving water, and stationary water Main factors affecting aquatic habitat Water Salinity Freshwater Saltwater Brackish
Water Temperature Cold water: 38-58 F Cool water: 59-72 F Warm water: 73-86 F Water Movement Currents caused by temperature fluctuations How are habitats classified? Amphibious animals can live in both water and on land Require water for one or more important functions other
than water itself, such as reproduction, food, and escape Terrestrial Animals live on land Terrestrial habitats include: Woodland forest and shrubs
Brush shrubs and herbaceous plants Grasslands Rock rock piles, crevices Edge where two habitats meet What is the relationship between populations and habitat? Populations number of organisms in a given area Population density amount of organisms in an area May be crowded or sparse
Birth and death rates are signification attributes to population density Birth rate number of offspring produced in a population over a given time Death rate number of deaths per thousand population each year What is the relationship between populations and habitat? Population Density (continued)
Immigration organisms move into a habitat Emigration organisms move out of a habitat Populations and habitats are interdependent Populations responded differently in varied habitats. Populations generally have large growth in early stages of habitat development (increased habitat components) What is an animal that can survive in a variety of habitats?
Generalist species Cope well with climate, vegetation, and other environmental changes Examples: squirrels, coyotes, raccoons, and crows What is an animal that can only thrive in specific habitats? Specialist Species Dont adapt well to new environmental conditions or food
Examples: grizzly bears, bobcats, many bird species Who can live here? http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Be-Out-T here/Educators/~/media/PDFs/Be%20Out %20There/Schoolyard%20Habitats/whoc anlivehere.ashx What causes habitat
destruction? May be destroyed by natural causes, human actions, and pollution What causes habitat destruction? Natural causes
Lightning strikes Fires Tornadoes Earthquakes What causes habitat destruction? Human actions
Residential construction Roads Schools Industry Agricultural practices What causes habitat
destruction? Pollution Chemical contaminants Acid rain Smoke
Smog Landfills What are problems associated with managing habitats? Major issues related to meeting the habitat requirements of food, water, cover, and space
Loss of natural vegetation Destruction of wetlands Waters contaminated with pollutants Animals destroyed by vehicles What are problems associated with managing habitats?
Major issues related to meeting the habitat requirements of food, water, cover, and space Predatory concerns Wildlife diseases Pesticide poisoning http://vimeo.com/26121868 Introduction of non-native species Review COMPLETE ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER AND TURN IN WITH YOUR NAME ON IT! YOU MUST WORK ON YOUR OWN
BUT CAN USE YOUR NOTES. 1. What is a habitat? 2. What are basic habitat components? 3. Explain the relationship between birth and death rates. How do they correlate? 4. Define population density. 5. Define generalist and specialist species. 6. What causes habitat destruction? 7. What are problems associated with managing habitats?
