Wildlife Online Study Guide

Objectives

To help you meet the objectives below, study the fact sheets on the Wildlife Study Guide Links Page. The primary source of written test questions will be from the Wildlife Study Guide Links Page. In addition, you should use any local resources available to you.

Introduction

Diverse wildlife populations are valuable from many standpoints, as indicators of a healthy ecosystem, for recreation, and for aesthetics. Understanding a species' requirements and habits is the first step in ensuring the continuing existence of that particular animal. Proper protection and management of an animal's habitat will encourage optimum populations.

Key Points To Understand - Envirothon Students Will Be Able To:

Objectives:

• Identify common wildlife species of New Jersey from silhouettes, mounted specimens, or pictures. (Part of an animal may be shown instead of the whole animal). Keys will be used for more extensive identification.
• Identify common wildlife species based on wildlife sign. Sign can include animal fur, hair, feathers, gnawings, rubbings, pellets, tracks and scat.
• Answer questions concerning the natural history of wildlife species occurring in New Jersey.
• Understand the following ecological concepts:
  • predator/prey relationships,
  • food webs,
  • carrying capacity,
  • limiting factors,
• Identify native, non-native, and invasive species and describe their potential impacts.
• Evaluate a given habitat and select or list species most likely to live there.
• Describe ways habitat can be improved for specific species by knowing their requirements.
• Discuss how human activities, such as forestry, agriculture, and hunting can enhance or impact wildlife habitat.
• Describe various ways people can help in the protection, conservation management, and enhancement of wildlife populations.
• Identify agencies responsible for providing the protection and management of wildlife resources.
• Identify wildlife species that are listed as New Jersey endangered or threatened and describe the main causes that have led to the depleted populations and identify management strategies that may benefit the threatened or endangered population..
• Describe the cause, transmission cycle and symptoms of rabies, West Nile virus and Lyme disease in people and wildlife.
• Understand the above principles as they relate to the current Envirothon issue.

For more information contact your local Soil Conservation District Office  or Richard Belcher, NJ Envirothon Coordinator Phone: (609) - 292-5540,  Fax: (609) - 633-7229.

< Back to Wildlife Online Study Guide

Last Modified: January 18, 2008