Managing Problem Wildlife - Midterm

Question 1

Describe the negative impacts that wildlife can have on forest resources (provide example).

Answer 1

Herbivores can cause damage to all stages of forest regeneration on both free growing plantations and planted or seeded sites.
ex. beavers and mountain beavers, rodents eating conifer seeds

Question 2

Describe the negative impacts that wildlife can have on food crops (provide example).

Answer 2

Rodents damage the crop themselves, by both eating and the plants themselves and/or the seeds.
Also cause damage to storage facilities holding crop harvest which may cause public health problems and lead to starvation in developing countries
ex. mouse plague in Australia eating seed

Question 3

Describe the negative impacts that wildlife can have on endangered species (provide example).

Answer 3

Problem wildlife can put added pressure on endangered species by increasing competition, and potentially spreading disease. Species can prey on these vulnerable species.
ex. black rat invaded Lord Howe Island and within 10 years, 40% of island land bird species were eradicated

Question 4

How does a population increase from first colonizing a site to finally reaching carrying capacity?

Answer 4

Depending on certain factors (competition, predation, and disease) the population will grow at a rapid or slow rate.

Question 5

What is carrying capacity (K)?

Answer 5

Species population being limited by environmental factors (food, water, shelter, etc.). Once the population reaches capacity on these environmental factors, numbers will begin to drop until resources rebound.

Question 6

Logistic growth vs. Irruptive growth

Answer 6

Logistic growth: slow ans gradual growth until it reaches carrying capacity, then levels out. requires favourable conditions

Irruptive growth: slow start to rapid growth, until past carrying capacity, then a crash in population, then irruptive growth again. Fluctuating patterns of peaks and crashes.

Question 7

Explain phase 1, 2 and 3 of logistical growth.

Answer 7

Phase 1 - population introduction
Phase 2 - population growth
Phase 3 - carrying capacity

Question 8

What prevents a population from growing continuously?

Answer 8

• Available resources (food, water, shelter, mates)

- Carrying capacity

Question 9

What are the characteristics of a “r” strategist? Provide an example of a r-selected species.

Answer 9

• HIGH reproduction rate
• YOUNGER sexual maturity
• Can sustain higher levels of mortality
• Not competitive
• Direct energy into reproduction
• Eg. voles, rats, mice

Question 10

What are the characteristics of a “k” strategist? Provide an example of a k-selected species.

Answer 10

• LOW reproduction rate
• OLDER sexual maturity
• Can sustain lower levels of mortality
• Very competitive
• Direct energy into protection
• Eg. deer, bear, cougar

Question 11

What habitats are “r” strategists adapted for?

Answer 11

• Early to mid successional stage habitats

Question 12

What habitats are “k” strategists adapted for?

Answer 12

• Late successional stage habitats

Question 13

Management needed for logistic growth

Answer 13

• Control measures must be sustained over the life of the crop, goods, or structures being protected

Question 14

Management needed for irruptive growth

Answer 14

• Focus on prediction and monitoring of outbreaks, then tactical use of appropriate control measures may prevent plague

Question 15

Approaches to managing damage caused by small mammals (state 3).

Answer 15

• Diversionary foods
• Behavioural (how to make the site unfavourable)
• Manipulation (less quality food, use of fences, enhance competition)

Question 16

Why are toxicants not an appropriate management approach? (state 4 reasons)

Answer 16

• Small mammals are RESILIENT to depopulation
• Hazard to NON- TARGET species
• BAIT may not be accepted
• Increased RESISTANCE to BAIT formulations

Question 17

Describe resiliency to depopulation.

Answer 17

• Resiliency to depopulation: The ability for a population to absorb change and persist. Individuals may be coming from a different site, so destroying the particular population of concern will not work

Question 18

Describe recovery ratios.

Answer 18

• Recovery ratios: Number of animals colonizing removal grid at a time

Question 19

What characteristics make a habitat appealing? (state 4)

Answer 19

• Water: abundance and accessibility
• Food: abundance of good quality
• Shelter: avoid predation (random search, pursuit, refuge)
• Space: little competition

Question 20

How can a manager reduce attractiveness of food to a pest species?

Answer 20

• Plant undesirable species
• Physical barriers
• Reduce fertilization
• Resistant seedlings

Question 21

How does addition of complexity to simple habitats help reduce a pest species?

Answer 21

• Could attract competing species which might effect pest numbers

Question 22

Why is it important to know habitat associations of pest species?

Answer 22

• To avoid creating optimal habitat for pest species

Question 23

Is burning beneficial for small mammal pest control?

Answer 23

• Burning tends to be beneficial for some species, and less beneficial to others.

Question 24

Why would diversionary food help reduce damage bioenergetically?

Answer 24

• Animals will prioritize the best and easiest way to get good quality food

Question 25

Advantages of diversionary food (state 5).

Answer 25

• Can be useful for SEVERAL widely diverse SPECIES
• Rarely has adverse effects
• Favorably perceived by the PUBLIC
• Safe, no hazard to humans
• Eliminates need for lethal control

Question 26

Disadvantages of diversionary food (state 5).

Answer 26

• Cost can be high (cost benefit ratio needs to be assessed)
• Lure crops utilize land
• May result in increased target population by increasing reproduction and survival
• May attract more individuals
• Target species may become overly dependant

Question 27

Why is the quality of diversionary food important?

Answer 27

• Food needs to be more palatable than food being protected

- Food needs to be similar or lower nutrients to prevent increased survival and reproduction