Wildlife Science Unit 1: Introduction to Wildlife Management

Wildlife Management

Balancing the needs of wildlife with those of people using scientific methods.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population of a species that an environment can support, considering available resources.

Limiting Factors

Forces that hold back a population and slow its growth, such as lack of food, water, shelter, or space.

Territorialism

Behavior where animals establish and defend their living and hunting areas against competitors.

Harvestable Surplus

The number of animals that can be harvested without long-term effects on the population.

Cycles

Short-term annual population patterns of species, influenced by factors like seasons and predator/prey dynamics.

Interdependence

The relationship in which plants and animals rely on each other within their ecosystem.

Important Components of Carrying Capacity

Water, food, shelter/habitat, and cover are essential resources.

Effects of Resource Disappearance

Animals become aggressive and less reproductive when necessary resources vanish.

How to Improve Limiting Factors

Identify the most significant limiting factor and reduce its impact.

Natural Mortality

Deaths in a wildlife population caused by natural causes such as predators, disease, or accidents.

Cycles of Wildlife Populations

Lowest populations occur after winter, with peaks in the spring.