Wildlife Conservation and Historical Perspectives

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to wildlife conservation, historical perspectives on wildlife management, and significant legislation affecting species at risk.

Boar

A male bear.

Sow

A female bear.

Cubs

Young bears.

Sloth, pack, maul, sleuth

Various terms used to describe a group of bears.

Ursus Americanus

Scientific name for the American Black Bear.

Endangered Species Act

Legislation aimed at protecting species at risk of extinction. All protections provided under act to endangered species.

Threatened Status

A category for species that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. Many, but not all protections given to endangered species are also applied to threatened species. Can pick and choose protections to best meet species recovery needs.

Experimental Population (NEP)

Reintroduced populations outside their current range but within their historical range, designated as non-essential for the species' continued existence.

Conservation Era

The period from 1930 to 1965 marked by significant wildlife management efforts.

Silent Spring

A landmark book by Rachel Carson published in 1962, highlighting the dangers of pesticides.

Market Hunting Era

The period from 1850 to 1899 characterized by excessive exploitation of wildlife. 

Urban Domestication

The process where wild animals are bred or adapted to live in human-controlled environments.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Conservation Biology

A field of study that focuses on protecting and managing biodiversity.

Bioaccumulation

The concentration of substances, such as pesticides, in an organism.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms at each successive level of the food chain.

Disturbance Regime

The pattern and nature of disturbances (e.g., fire, flood) in ecosystems that shapes their structure and function.

“Myth of Superabundance”

A historical perspective that suggests natural resources are limitless and can sustain human consumption without significant impact. This notion has led to overexploitation and the degradation of ecosystems.

Passenger Pigeon

A species of bird that was once abundant in North America but became extinct in 1850-1900 due to excessive hunting and habitat loss.

Carolina Parakeet

Exctinct due to habitat loss, hunting, mounts

Teddy Roosevelt

“The conservation president” who established national parks, wildlife refuges, and the US Forest Service. He significantly advanced wildlife conservation efforts in America.

Had idea of supreme race and trophy hunted

John Muir

A naturalist and environmentalist, John Muir was a key figure in the national park service. had preservation view

exploted indigenous people and cultures, supported removal from national parks

Grifford Pinchot

1st chief of US Forest Service; proposed sustainable us of forests

prominent eugenicist - believed in improving the human race but only for certain races

Aldo Leopold

wrote Game Management in 1933; “Founder of American wildlife management”

Ding Darling

An influential political cartoonist and advocate for wildlife conservation, Ding Darling was instrumental in the creation of the National Wildlife Federation and the Federal Duck Stamp program.

Rachel Carson

A marine biologist and conservationist, Rachel Carson is best known for her book "Silent Spring," which challenged the practices of agricultural scientists (pesticides) and the government, and advocated for environmental protection. Effects of DDT