A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...

Management Considerations
Wildlife management entails providing food, shelter and water in sufficient quantity, quality, and in the proper
location. These ingredients dictate the carrying capacity ( numerical value) of animals supportable by a
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particular habitat. Just as carrying capacity changes in response to ecological succession, or cataclysmic
events (e.g., fire, disease, infestation) it also can be influenced by human intervention.
Species at risk warrant a greater effort on our part since we cannot afford losing their genetic heritage through
extinction. While pockets of populations exist in "safe havens" throughout the county, there is cause for
concern. Observations have been made on a regional level indicating a decline in numbers of neotropical
birds, as well as shorter distance migrants such as common flickers, meadowlarks, field sparrows and belted
kingfishers, grosbeak, blackpoll warblers, and residents such as the Barred owl.
Impacts From Natural Hazards
Wildlife has long been regarded as the barometer as well as forecaster of our environmental and personal
well-being. The canary in the cave metaphor has been broadly applied to questions of environmental
management. Our role in determining the prognosis of the canary and its brethren is based on an awareness,
understanding, and respect of the interconnected web housing all species, including humans. Every time there
is a change in the topography, vegetation, climate etc., there is an impact to the animal community. Following
are categories of impacts to habitat, and thus wildlife.
Biological opponents have taken the form of pets, livestock, and even stowaway imports. Both intentional
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and unintentional imports were carriers of disease, preyed on resident species, and competed for food
sources. Example of species introduced by humans include:
Black rat House mouse Ring-necked pheasant
English sparrow Norway rat Starling
Some species migrated to, and stayed, in areas newly made hospitable. These newcomers altered the
distribution and frequency of resident species. Some animals which had been rare, even non-existent,
thrived in their new homes to the detriment of natives; examples include:
Carolina wren Mockingbird Mockingbird
Cattle egret Opossum Tufted titmouse
Competition has served as a checks and balances among prey and predator. Conversely, Gypsy moths,
with few predators, have had recurring surges in populations, exacting severe damage on agricultural crops
as well as forests.
Domestic predators, particularly cats, exact a tremendous toll in the suburban
ecosystem. Fledglings, birds roosting at night, and nesting birds as well as reptiles,
amphibians, and small mammals are vulnerable. An artificially reduced lifespan
results in accelerated reproductivity. This is evidenced by species such as robins,
chickadees, mourning doves, and cardinals who raise multiple broods each year.
Bonelli’s Warbler
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Delwin E. Benson, Helping Wildlife: Working With Nature, Wildlife Management Institute, 1977.
A Natural Resource Management Guide
for the County of Morris 184