Wildlife Conservation and Human Values

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts of wildlife conservation, human values, economic impacts, and species facts from the lecture notes.

Wildlife Conservation

A science-based social process involving professionals, special interest groups, decision makers, politicians, and the public aimed at sustainable use, habitat improvement, maintaining healthy populations, conserving biodiversity, and understanding human values.

Pittman-Robertson Act

Federal legislation providing Aid in Wildlife Restoration via an excise tax on arms and ammunition, which has delivered over $7\text{ billion}$ dollars to states for wildlife management, hunter safety/education, and habitat development.

Federal Duck Stamp

A federal stamp (Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp) required for hunting migratory waterfowl, generating revenue spent directly on developing and conserving wildlife habitats.

North American Model of Wildlife Conservation

A conservation system in the United States where resident wildlife is owned by all citizens and managed by state, federal, and tribal agencies as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Aesthetic Values of Wildlife

Human values associated with wildlife viewing, art, personal enjoyment or experience, and the intrinsic knowledge that animals exist.

Economic Values of Wildlife

Values derived from wildlife products (meat, hides), equipment, travel/tourism (lodging, transport, guides), industry jobs, consumer goods (bird food, photography), and ecosystem services.

Scientific Values of Wildlife

Values related to monitoring population and habitat health, maintaining biodiversity, and understanding overall ecosystem health and function.

Educational Values of Wildlife

Values centered on fostering environmental literacy and raising public awareness to drive conservation action.

Ecological Values of Wildlife

Values rooted in understanding an animal species' specific role, ecological niche, and natural interconnectedness within its environment.

Cultural Values of Wildlife

Values linked to history, heritage, folklore, symbols (such as sports team logos or national emblems), and religious or spiritual significance.

Societal Values of Wildlife

Community-level benefits including wildlife festivals, art shows, and local sales tax revenue generated for public infrastructure like schools, roads, fire, police, and libraries.

Negative Wildlife Values

Potential conflicts and costs caused by wildlife, such as crop and livestock losses, landscaping damage, disease vectors, vehicle accidents, hindered development, and human harm.

Ethical-Moral Wildlife Values

Values addressing human responsibility, stewardship versus dominion/use, and considerations regarding animal rights.

Scientific Method

The sequential process of scientific inquiry comprising Observation -> Hypothesis -> Prediction -> Test or Experiment.

Scientific Theory

An explanation developed through repeated testing of hypotheses that yields consistent results over many, many times.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

The largest wild sheep species in North America (Ovis canadensis canadensis), in which both rams and ewes retain true horns throughout their lives.

Polygynous Mating Strategy

A mating system where dominant males mate with multiple females, as observed in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep where rams live in bachelor groups and join ewe herds during mating season.

Bighorn Sheep Track

A cloven hoofprint left by a bighorn sheep, measuring approximately $3\text{ inches}$ in length with two distinct, elongated toe impressions.