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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. Endangered and threatened species
B.
Habitat loss and fragmentation
C. Managing/planning
for people and wildlife
D. Non-native species;
invasive species; introduced species
E. Reintroduction
of native species
F Diseases – West
Nile Virus, Chronic Wasting Disease
G Current
Issue – Urban Issues- Topic: Deer Issues in urban/suburban areas
Learning Objectives
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. 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 ways
habitat can be managed/improved for specific birds and mammals
e. Describe various roles of birds and
mammals in their ecosystems and be able to cite examples.
f Identify wildlife species from mounted specimens,
pictures or silhouettes.
(Species
for items a – f are selected from the Wildlife Notes found on List B
in the Appendix.)
g Identify wildlife species based on signs including: fur, hair, feathers, gnawings,
rubbings, pellets, tracks (tracks for * starred animals only)
and scat. – Wildlife species are selected from list C in the Appendix.
h. Identify birdcalls
of bird species found on list A in the appendix.
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 animal survive. (i.e. migration, hibernation,
defense posturing, strong beak, webbed feet, etc.)
c. Describe
predator-prey relationships and be able to cite examples.
d. Describe food chains and food webs and be able to cite examples.
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, nocturnal, delayed implantation,
etc.).
g. Define
and explain basic ecological concepts and terminology (i.e. limiting
factor, carrying capacity, territory, home range, population, community, succession,
etc.).
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 the 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 bird and mammal populations.
4. Issues Involving Wildlife and Society
a. Identify birds and mammals that are listed as endangered,
threatened or candidate species and describe the main causes that have led
to the depleted populations and describe measures being taken to help their
recovery.
b.
Identify and explain factors that have led to species becoming endangered
and threatened.
c.
Identify and explain factors which can make a species more likely to become
endangered and threatened.
d.
Identify and explain methods that are used to save an endangered or threatened
species.
e. Describe
major causes of habitat loss in Pennsylvania and how habitat loss affects
wildlife.
f.
Describe Chronic Wasting Disease and its cause, transmission, and symptoms.
Describe steps being taken to prevent CWD from entering
Pennsylvania and precautions that can be taken to help prevent
contact with the disease.
g.
Describe West Nile Virus and its cause, transmission, and symptoms. Describe
methods that are being taken to decrease the spread of this virus and precautions
that can be taken to limit exposure to this virus.
h Describe issues surrounding overabundance of
deer in urban areas. Describe the implications of
the various deer management options in managing deer in urban areas.
Reference
Materials List
1. Wildlife Note Series – see List
B for Wildlife Notes needed- found on webpage at www.pgc.state.pa.us Click on wildlife (on left) and then wildlife notes( on right)
2. Helping Wildlife: Working with Nature booklet
3. Envirothon Animal Track Sheet
4. An Evaluation of Deer Management Options published by the CT. Dept. of Environmental
Protection
5. Endangered and threatened species
Birds and Mammals - PGC web page www.pgc.state.pa.us Click on Wildlife (left hand side) Endangered/Threatened
species from middle- reference materials and the species materials.
6. 2003-2004 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping regulations –
the following sections only: General Hunting Regulations and State Game Land
Regulations pages 17-19, Getting the Point on Antler Restrictions and Consider
Letting That Button Buck Walk Away, pages 58-59, Wildlife Classifications page 61 and DMAP page 55.
This can also be found on the PGC web page at www.pgc.state.pa.us click on Hunters and Trappers (left)
then 2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping Digest.
7. 2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping Annual – found in the middle (just after page 61)
of the 2003-2004 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping regulations.
Also can be found on the Commission web page at www.pgc.state.pa.us click on hunters and trappers, click on 2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping
Annual.
8. Game Commission annual report in
January 2004 Game News* - the following sections only: land management, information and education,
and wildlife management.
9. Chronic Wasting Disease – found on PGC web page www.pgc.state.pa.us click on wildlife (left), click on chronic wasting disease (wildlife reference guides).
10. West Nile Virus – found on state
web page at www.westnile.state.pa.us/health.htm
11. Pennsylvania Envirothon Bird Song
CD
APPENDIX
LIST A: Identification of BIRD Calls, Songs, and Sounds
(Based on Pennsylvania Envirothon Bird Tape)
Mourning Dove Robin
Northern Flicker Bluejay
Canada Goose Red-Tailed
Hawk
Wood Duck American
Crow
Cardinal House
Sparrow
Black-Capped Chikadee Ring-Necked
Pheasant
Wood Thrush House
Wren
Great-Horned Owl Barred
Owl
Screech Owl American
Woodcock
Pileated Woodpecker Red-Winged
Blackbird
Great Blue Heron American
Bittern
Wild Turkey Mallard
Meadowlark Barn
Owl
Kestrel Common
Nighthawk
Grouse Eastern
Towhee
Osprey Bald
Eagle
LIST B: Identification, Natural History, Wildlife Biology, and Habitat Evaluation based on the following
Wildlife Notes:
Bats Beaver
Black Bear Blackbirds
Orioles Cowbird
Starling Bobcat
Canada Goose Chickadees
Nuthatches Titmouse
Brown Creeper Chimney
Swifts
Purple Martin Swallows
Cottontail Rabbit Crows
Raven Eagles
Osprey Eastern
Coyote
Elk Finches
House Sparrow Fisher
Foxes (Red and Gray) Hawks
(Raptors)
Heron Family Mallard
Mice Voles
Minks Muskrats
Northern Cardinal Grosbeaks
Indigo Bunting Dickcissel
Opossum Otter
(River)
Owls Raccoon
Ring-Necked Pheasant Ruffed
Grouse
Sparrows Towhee
Squirrels Thrushes
Vultures Weasels
White-Tailed Deer Wild
Turkey
Woodchuck Woodcock
Wood Duck Woodpeckers
Most Wildlife Notes may be found on the PGC
web site, www.pgc.state.pa.us, click on Wildlife (left hand), and then on Wildlife Notes (on right hand side of screen).
LIST
C: Identification of WILDLIFE SIGN
SIGNS CAN INCLUDE: fur,
hair, feathers, gnawings, rubbings, pellets, nests, scat and tracks* (*only starred animals for tracks)
Note: This is a selection of the wildlife found in List B
Baltimore Oriole Bear*
Beaver* Black-Capped
Chickadee
Bobcat* Canada
Goose
Cottontail Rabbit * Coyote*
Crow Eastern
Bluebird (See Thrushes)
Elk* House
Sparrow
Fisher Gray
Fox*
Mallard Mink*
Muskrat* Opossum*
Owl Pheasant,
Ring-Necked
Porcupine Raccoon
Red Fox* River
Otter*
Robin (See Thrushes) Ruffed
Grouse
Gray Squirrel* Starling
White-Tailed Deer* Wild
Turkey
Wood Duck Woodchuck*
Woodcock
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