Wildlife Station

Envirothon Home Page                                                           Home

Essential Topics:
    Advisors note, new topics/objectives are underlined.

I. Knowledge of Birds and Mammals
        a. Bird and mammal identification
        b. Natural history of birds and mammals
        c. Habitat/ecosystem types and associated wildlife

II. Understanding Wildlife Ecology
        a. Survival requirements of wildlife and how they are met
        b. Ecosystem dynamics:
            * Predator-prey relationships
            * Energy flow-food chain, food web, food pyramid
            * Succession
        c. Adaptations
        d. Population dynamics

III. Conservation and Management of Wildlife
        a. Pennsylvania Game Commission
        b. Hunting and Trapping regulations
        c. Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife code
        d. Wildlife Management
        e. Improving/managing habitat for wildlife

IV. Issues Involving Wildlife and Society
        a. Biodiversity
        b. Endangered and threatened species
            * What makes a species more prone to becoming endangered than other species?
            * Responsibility for upholding endangered species act
            * Terminology: for example: reintroduction, endangered, threatened, extirpated, and extinct
            * Endangered and threatened birds and mammals of PA
        c. Habitat loss and fragmentation
        d. Managing/planning for people and wildlife
        e. Non-native species; invasive species; introduced species
        f. Reintroduction of native species
        g. Current Issue - Impacts of Recreation on Wildlife

Learning Objectives:
    *Correlated with the Academic Standards and Assessment Anchors for Environment and Ecology

Envirothon Students will be able to:

1. Knowledge of Wild Birds and Mammals
        a. Answer questions concerning the natural history of wild bird and mammal species and identify birds and mammals if given natural history information.
        b. Identify and be able to group animals that would be associated with specific ecosystems.
        c. Evaluate a specific habitat and select or list species most likely to live there.
        d. Describe various roles of birds and mammals in their ecosystems and be able to cite examples
        e. Identify wildlife species from mounted specimens, pictures or silhouettes.
            (Species for items a-e are selected from the Wildlife Notes found on List B in the Appendix.)
        f. Identify wildlife species based on signs including: fur, hair, feathers, gnawings, rubbings, pellets, tracks*, skulls ♦, and scat. (tracks for * animals only and skulls for ♦ animals) - Wildlife species are selected from list C in the Appendix.
        g. Identify birdcalls of bird species found on list A in the Appendix.
        h. Describe ways habitat can be managed/improved for specific birds and mammals.
                * 4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions - 4.6.7A, C, 10.A, and 12.c
                * 4.7 Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species - 4.7.7A, C, 10.A, and C

2. Understanding Wildlife Ecology
        a. Identify basic needs required by wildlife.
        b. Identify, describe, and explain specific anatomical, physiological and/or behavioral adaptations of wildlife to the environment and how they help the animals survive. (i.e. migration, hibernation, defense posturing, strong beak, webbed feet, etc.)
        c. Describe predator-prey relationships, discuss physical adaptations or predator vs. prey species, and be able to cite examples.
        d. Describe and be able to model food chains, food webs, trophic levels - be able to cite examples.
            * 4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions - 4.6.7.A and 10.A
            * 4.7 Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species - 4.7.7.A, B, 10.A and B

        e. Describe factors that limit or enhance population growth.
        f. Define and explain terms associated with wildlife biology and wildlife populations.
            (i.e. natality, mortality, precocial, atricial, crepuscular, nocturnal, delayed implantation, carnivore, niche, herbivore, insectivore, omnivore, producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, etc.)
        g. Define and explain basic ecological concepts and terminology (i.e. limiting factor, biological carrying capacity, cultural carrying capacity, territory, home range, population, community, succession.)
            * 4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions - 4.6.7.A, C, 10.A and C
            * 4.7 Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species - 4.7.7.C and  10.C

3. Conservation and Management of Wildlife
        a. Describe the role of the Game Commission as the agency responsible for the protection, conservation, and management of wild birds and mammals of Pennsylvania.
        b. Identify the Game Commission as the agency responsible for hunting and trapping regulations and upholding the Game and Wildlife code in the state of Pennsylvania.
        c. Answer questions concerning hunting and trapping regulations - related to pages indicated in the Reference section of the Appendix.
        d. Classify birds and mammals as to Game and Wildlife Code classifications.
        e. Identify and describe methods that can be used to evaluate a habitat.
        f. Identify and describe methods that can be used to determine that abundance and distribution of wildlife.
        g. Identify and describe methods that can be used to determine the specific needs of a species.
        h. Describe methods used to manage and conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat.
        i. Describe ways each person can help in the protection, conservation management and enhancement of wild bird and mammal populations.
            * 4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions - 4.6.7.A, 10.A, C and 12.C
            * 4.8 Humans and the Environment - 4.8.7.D, 10.C and D
            * 4.9 Environmental Laws and Regulations - 4.9.7.A and 10.A

4. Issues Involving Wildlife and Society
        a. Define biodiversity and provide examples of how biodiversity is important to people and wildlife
        b. Identify and explain the major causes of loss of biodiversity in our state and worldwide.
        c. Explain the relationship of deer and deer management with biodiversity in our state.
            * 4.3 Environmental Health - 4.3.7.C and 10.C
            * 4.7 Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species - 4.7.7.A, C, 10.A, and 12.A and C

        d. Identify and explain the terms used in endangered and threatened species, for example: extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, candidate species, and reintroduction.
        e. Identify wild birds and mammals that are listed as endangered, extirpated, threatened or candidate species. Know natural history and habitat requirements. Describe the main causes that have led to the depleted populations and describe measures being taken to help their recovery.
        f. Identify and explain factors that have led to species becoming endangered and threatened.
        g. Identify and explain factors which can make a species more likely to become endangered and threatened.
        h. Identify and explain methods and management practices that are used to save an endangered or threatened species.
        i. Describe major causes of habitat loss in Pennsylvania and how habitat loss affects wildlife.
        j. Explain the role of the Endangered Species Act in helping to conserve endangered and threatened species.
        k. Know the organizations and agencies responsible for listing species on global, federal and state level.
        l. Explain how recreation may impact wildlife in a negative and a positive manner.
            * Negative impacts include but are not limited to:
                * Fragmentation of habitat due to roads and trails
                * Disturbance of wildlife in nesting seasons due to human activity and noise.
                * Destruction of habitat due to vehicle use.
                * Trash interfering with wildlife health through food intake or causing injury to wildlife
                * Pesticides to other changes to environment to make areas more comfortable for recreation.

            * Positive impacts include but are not limited to:
                * Enhancement of wildlife habitat in order to attract wildlife for viewing.
                * Increase knowledge of wildlife through visiting wildlife and natural areas.
                * Increase appreciation of wildlife and the importance of the natural world.
                * Funding for wildlife management.

            * 4.7 Threatened Endangered and Extinct Species - 4.7.7.B, C, 10.B and C, 12.B and C
            * 4.9 Environmental Laws and Regulations - 4.9.10.A

Assessment Anchors:

S11.A.3.2 - Compare observations of the real world to observations of a constructed model. Compare the accuracy of predictions represented in a model to actual observations and behavior.

S11.B.1.1 - Explain structure and function at multiple levels of organization. Compare ad contrast the structural and functional similarities and differences among living things (e.g., classify organisms into existing classification groups, compare systems).

S11.B.2.1 - Explain the mechanisms of the theory of evolution including why natural selection can act only on inherited traits and the role of mutations, differential reproduction, and gene recombination in changing the genetic makeup of a population.

S11.B.3.1 - Use evidence or examples to explain the characteristics of and interactions within an ecosystem. Describe how living organisms affect the survival of one another.

S11.C.2.2 - Demonstrate that different ways of obtaining, transforming, and distributing energy have different environmental consequences. Explain the environmental impacts of energy use by various economic sectors on environmental systems.

Reference Materials List:

Prepare for the wildlife portion of the PA Envirothon by reviewing the Wildlife Reference Materials compact disk provided by your County Conservation District. (Advisors note, new items are italicized).

1. Wildlife Note Series - see List B in the Appendix for Wildlife Notes needed. Refer to CD and PGC webpage.

2. Helping Wildlife: Working with Nature booklet - This booklet can be obtained by contacting your County's Envirothon Coordinator.

3. Envirothon Animal Tracks - Refer to CD - see List C in the Appendix for Identification of Wildlife sign indicated by an asterisk *.

4. Envirothon Skull Reference Resource: complied by the PA Game Commission - see List C in the Appendix for Identification of Wildlife sign Indicated by a diamond ♦. Refer to CD or paper copy can be obtained from your County's Envirothon Coordinator.

5. Endangered and Threatened Species - refer to CD and PGC webpage, www.pgc.state.pa.us Click on Wildlife (left column) - Endangered / Threatened species from middle reference material and the species material - Bird and Mammals.
                (DO NOT FORGET THE INFORMATION ON THE CD AS WELL!) Endangered Species

6. 2007-2008 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping regulations - the following sections only:
            General Hunting Regulations
            State Game Land Regulations
            Wildlife Classifications
    Miscellaneous Information
            Weed Alert
            Wild Boar
            Leave Wildlife Alone
    Youth Hunting Opportunities and Florescent Orange Requirements
    This can be found on the PGC website at www.pgc.state.pa.us go to Quick Clicks (right column) and click on 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Digest.

7. 2007-2008 Hunting Annual - This can be found in the Hunting and Trapping digest (towards middle) or on the PGC website at www.pgc.state.pa.us click on Quick Clicks (right column) 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Digest, scroll down and look for picture towards the left (woods scene with adult and child in orange and camo) click picture for the 2007-2008 Hunting Annual.

8. Pennsylvania Envirothon Bird Song CD (if you do not have this CD please let your conservation district know)

10. PGC Skull Envirothon resource - Refer to CD - to view drawings on skulls, go to the Smithsonian Institute Zoology, North American Mammals website www.mnh.si.edu/mna and search by species name.

11. Biodiversity: PA Species, Ecosystems and Biodiversity - Refer to CD

List A: Identification of BIRD Calls, Songs and Sounds (Bases on PA Envirothon Bird Song CD)

List B: Wildlife Notes: Wildlife Notes may be found on the PGC web site, www.pgc.state.pa.us, click on Wildlife (left column) and then Wildlife Notes (right column).

List C: Identification of WILDLIFE SIGN

SIGN CAN INCLUDE: fur, hair, feathers, gnawings, rubbings, pellets, nests, scat, skulls ♦, and tracks * (only * animals for tracks and only ♦ animals for skulls.) New species are italicized.