FW 260 wildlife welfare factors pt 2 (Exam 2)

Water as a Welfare Factor

Essential resource for survival influencing distribution and population size

Free Water

Standing or flowing water available for direct consumption

Preformed Water

Water obtained from food (plants or prey)

Metabolic Water

Water produced internally during metabolism

Water Balance

Relationship between water intake and water loss

Water Loss Methods

Evaporation, respiration, excretion

Adaptation to Arid Environments

Species survive with little or no free water

Example Desert Adaptation

Kangaroo rats rely mostly on metabolic water

Importance of Water Availability

Limits where animals can live and thrive

Artificial Water Sources

Human-made water sources affecting wildlife distribution

Risks of Artificial Water

Increased predation, disease spread, habitat degradation

Cover (Habitat Cover)

Physical features that provide protection and shelter

Types of Cover

Thermal, hiding, escape, reproductive

Thermal Cover

Protects animals from extreme temperatures

Hiding Cover

Protects animals from predators

Escape Cover

Allows animals to flee quickly from danger

Reproductive Cover

Provides safe areas for nesting and raising young

Edge Effect

Increased diversity where two habitat types meet

Benefits of Edge Effect

More resources and species diversity

Risks of Edge Effect

Increased predation and competition

Interspersion

Mix of habitat types within an area

High Interspersion

Resources close together, supports more wildlife

Low Interspersion

Resources spread out, less efficient for wildlife

Juxtaposition

Arrangement of different habitat types next to each other

Ideal Habitat Layout

Close proximity of food, water, and cover

Space as a Welfare Factor

Area required by an organism for survival and reproduction

Home Range

Area an animal regularly uses

Territory

Area actively defended by an animal

Difference: Home Range vs Territory

Home range is used; territory is defended

Territorial Behavior

Protecting resources like food or mates

Factors Affecting Territory Size

Resource availability, species, population density

Density Effect on Space

More individuals = less space per individual

Carrying Capacity and Space

Limited space restricts population size

Dispersal

Movement of individuals away from birthplace

Reasons for Dispersal

Reduce competition, avoid inbreeding, find resources

Migration

Seasonal movement between habitats

Example Migration

Birds moving between breeding and wintering grounds

Oxygen as a Welfare Factor

Essential for respiration and energy production

Oxygen Availability in Water

Limited compared to air, affects aquatic species

Dissolved Oxygen

Oxygen available in water for aquatic organisms

Factors Affecting Dissolved Oxygen

Temperature, flow, pollution

Warm Water Effect

Holds less oxygen than cold water

Oxygen Limitation

Can restrict aquatic organism survival

Human Impact on Oxygen

Pollution reduces dissolved oxygen levels

Eutrophication

Excess nutrients cause oxygen depletion in water

Algal Blooms

Rapid algae growth that reduces oxygen levels

Hypoxia

Low oxygen conditions harmful to organisms

Anoxia

Complete absence of oxygen

Fish Kill

Mass death of fish due to low oxygen

Interaction of Welfare Factors

All factors (food, water, cover, space, oxygen) work together

Limiting Factor Concept

The scarcest resource controls population growth

Management Strategy

Improve limiting factors to increase populations

Overmanagement Risk

Too much intervention can harm ecosystems

Holistic Management

Consider all welfare factors together