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The creation of a thousand forests is
in one acorn.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
A habitat is a community of living
and non-living things that interrelate in unique and often
subtle ways. The seed of the oak tree germinates and grows
into a tree. Its fruits attract birds or squirrels or bears
who eat or take or cache the seed, which germinates and grows
into a tree. A forest, thus, depends as much upon the animals
that harvest the acorns as it does upon the acorn itself.
The planet is comprised of terrestrial climatic regions called
biomes, and each biome is habitat - home - to its own unique
community of living things. In addition to biomes, saltwater
and freshwaters also support unique communities of living
things.
The geographic features, rainfall and temperature of a biome
determine the types of organisms that live there. The plants
that grow in each biome attract insects and animals (herbivores)
that feed upon them and in turn, those insects and animals
attract other animals that feed on them (carnivores).
Desert, tundra, taiga, temperate forest, rainforest, grasslands
and shrub lands are all examples of biomes; they are the natural
habitats of the species that have evolved to live therein.
While some animals can survive in a variety of habitats,
others die when they are removed from their natural surroundings.
Animals cannot exist in a completely strange environment without
adapting by evolving through many generations.
What does this have to do with wildlife rehabilitation?
- Intake: when an animal is admitted to a wildlife centre,
it is important, when possible, to make note of the area
where it was found. Was that place its natural habitat?
If so, you will know where best to release it again - or
perhaps, where not to release it. Problems can arise in
an animal's habitat that result in its delivery to a rehabilitation
centre. A forest fire may have orphaned a young bear - there
may no longer be enough shelter or food there to sustain
it. An outbreak of botulism on a small lake may have infected
a duck. An oil spill may have caused a seal to be poisoned.
- Release: a particular habitat may seem ideal for an animal
whose origin is unknown -- an area that includes woods,
a small lake and a marshy area may be very suitable for
the group of young raccoons that are ready for release.
However, if the location happens to be an important breeding
area for a endangered waterfowl species, raccoons released
there may impact upon their population in a very negative
way.
- Captive environment: animals in rehabilitation experience
stress; by creating a microhabitat for them that mimics
natural substrate, cover, foraging opportunity, roosting,
bathing opportunity, etc., much of this stress can be mitigated.
When admitting an animal, bear in mind that there may be
some contributing factor that stemmed from its habitat or
environment. When releasing an animal, bear in mind that it
must be able to find food, water and shelter that is natural
to it. Research before you release. Contact your local government
agency that is responsible for wildlife management to discuss
the best release location if you are unsure.
To learn more about habitat, habitat protection and habitat
loss, choose one of the following resources. We have included
resources that give information on creating microhabitats
for those who are creating enriched enclosures or who are
landscaping an area for wildlife.
From the United States Department of Agriculture, this website
brings conservation from the countryside to your backyard.
Just as they do on the farm, conservation practices on non-agricultural
land can help increase food and shelter for birds and other
wildlife, control soil erosion, reduce sediment in waterways,
conserve water and improve water quality, inspire a stewardship
ethic, and beautify the landscape. Backyard Conservation shows
you how conservation practices that are used on agricultural
land across the country to conserve and improve natural resources
can be adapted for use on the land around your home. These
practices help the environment and can make your yard more
attractive and enjoyable. Whether you have acres in the country,
an average-sized suburban yard, or a tiny plot in the city,
you can help protect the environment and add beauty and interest
to your surroundings.
Ten conservation practices have been scaled down for homeowners
and city residents to use in their yards. Tip sheets in text
format; projects with pictures can be downloaded in PDF format.
An excellent site for wildlife centres or rehabilitators who
are creating natural habitats for captive wildlife.
Mountains, deserts, and rugged coastline are now all within
reach. Use our online habitat guides to learn more about life
zones, biodiversity and indigenous species.
Go out in your backyard and look around! Watch the butterflies
and hummingbirds dance in search of nectar. Listen to the
trill of songbirds. Hear the plop of a frog jumping into a
pond. This isn't your yard, you say? It could be. It's not
hard, and it doesn't matter where you live or how much space
you have. wonderful website
(WHMI)
Our mission, in cooperation with partners, is to develop and
disseminate scientifically based technical materials that
will assist NRCS field staffs in working with their customers
and others to promote conservation stewardship of fish and
wildlife and deliver sound habitat management principles and
practices to America's land users. Habitat information, wildlife
information (including species accounts).
(WHC) is a national, non-profit,
conservation organization which was established in 1984 by
Environment Canada, provincial wildlife agencies and conservation
agencies within the wildlife habitat coalition. WHC works
through partnerships with communities, landowners, governments,
non-government organizations, and industry to find effective
solutions to complex environmental problems facing wildlife
habitat.
WHC's strategic approach to conservation is based on sound
science which allows us to act as a catalyst to develop new
and innovative conservation programs, ASSESS policies and
legislation that affect habitat, as well as the status of
habitats in Canada, and SUPPORT high quality conservation
initiatives across Canada to build capacity to conserve habitat
on the ground. Topics: News and events, Habitat Status, Applied
Conservation, Project Funding and Publications and Links.
The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) works to increase the amount
of quality wildlife habitat on corporate, private and public
lands. The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) is a non-profit,
nonlobbying 501(c)(3) group of corporations, conservation
organizations, and individuals dedicated to protecting and
enhancing wildlife habitat. Created in 1988, WHC helps large
landowners, particularly corporations, manage their unused
lands in an ecologically sensitive manner for the benefit
of wildlife. WHC also works to broaden understanding of wildlife
values. More than 115 companies are WHC members as are two
dozen conservation organizations, plus many supporters and
contributors. Over 1.2 million acres in 43 states, Puerto
Rico, and ten other countries are managed for wildlife through
WHC-assisted projects.
Biological Conservation
Publisher: Elsevier Science
Biological Conservation has as its main purpose the widest
dissemination of original papers dealing with the preservation
of wildlife and the conservation or wise use of biological
and allied natural resources. It is concerned with plants
and animals and their habitats in a changing and increasingly
man-dominated biosphere - in fresh and salt waters as well
as on land and in the atmosphere. Biological Conservation
publishes field studies, analytical and modelling studies
and review articles. While its main basis is ecological the
journal aims at fostering other relevant aspects of biological
conservation and hopes thereby to encourage more research
and publication of work which contributes to our knowledge
and understanding of wildlife communities and their value
to mankind.
The journal's coverage of the discipline of conservation
ecology is relevant to universities and research institutes
while the emphasis on the practical application of the research
results is important to all land managers, from those dealing
with landscape design problems to those whose concern is nature
reserve management.
Journal by subscription; with subscription, articles can
be downloaded in PDF format. Back issues from inception to
present; indexed, with abstracts.
National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Program
The website offers information and articles; sign up for their
newsletter online.
The Society for Conservation Biology
Online newsletter
California Global Warming Campaign
The most populous state in the country, California is home
to over 30 million people. In a country that is the world's
most egregious global warming polluter, California is second
only to Texas in carbon dioxide emissions. As the 5th largest
economy in the world, and a hotbed for innovative and progressive
thinking, California has a unique and vital role to play in
leading the fight against global warming.
The California Global Warming News is a free biweekly email
newsletter produced by California Global Warming Campaign.
To subscribe, visit the website.
The Network Newsletter
The Network Newsletter is intended for those interested and
involved in climate-related impact assessment. A publication
of the Environmental and Societal Impacts Group (ESIG) of
the National Center for Atmospheric Research focusing on climate-related
impact assessment. Includes editorials, brief news stories,
and conference announcements. Available online in PDF format
at
Audubon Magazine
Audubon Magazines is available by subscription, but the magazine's
websites offers excerpts from back issues as well as top-quality
online articles (free of charge).
Canadian Wildlife Federation: membership magazines
Published five times a year, Canadian Wildlife, for adults,
and its French counterpart Biosphère look largely at
national wildlife issues. Readers will also visit exotic places
like Vietnam's secret forests, Indonesian jungles, and African
savannahs. The federation regularly publishes special issues
of Canadian Wildlife and Biosphère to draw attention
to oceans, endangered species, wildlife habitat, and other
conservation themes. Wild, our magazine for children aged
six to 12, is published eight times a year and features an
exciting assortment of wildlife stories, articles, puzzles,
and photos to stimulate the minds of budding conservationists.
Your Big Back Yard, for preschoolers, is published monthly.
Chock-full of intriguing games, puzzles, and stories, it inspires
3-to-5-year-olds to take an interest in wildlife conservation
from an early age.
Defenders Magazine
An online magazine published by the Defenders of Wildife;
interesting articles.
emagazine.com
E/ The Environment Magazine covers environmental issues such
as global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, green living,
ecology, alternative energy, biodiversity, endangered species,
the non-profit community. E's website (electronic magazine)
offers free articles as well as archives, subscription information
to E/The Environment Magazine and a free sample issue of the
magazine.
Wildlife-Habitat Relationships:Concepts & Applications
by Michael L. Morrison, Bruce G. Marcot (Contributor), Michael A. Morrison, R. William Mannan (Contributor)
Hardcover: 416 pages; 2nd edition
Univ of Wisconsin Press
ISBN:0299156400
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Northwoods Wildlife:A Watcher's Guide to Habitats
by Janine M. Benyus
Paperback
Northword Pr
ISBN:1559710039
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The National Wildlife Federation's Guide to Gardening for Wildlife:How to Create a Beautiful Backyard Habitat for
Birds, Butterflies and Other Wildlife
by Craig Tufts, Peter Loewer, H. Peter Loewer, National Wildlife federation
Hardcover
Rodale Press
ISBN:0875966756
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Habitat Conservation Planning:Endangered Species and Urban Growth
by Timothy Beatley
Paperback
Univ of Texas Pr
ISBN:0292708068
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