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

Urbanization's intrusion on habitat results in direct and indirect repercussions.
!
Animals who adapt well to disturbed environments thrive (e.g., the Norway
rat). These "adaptables" act as opportunists nesting in (sub)urbanized dwelling
places such as ledges, crevices, holes, storm sewers, bushes, and chimneys.
Examples are the crow, blue jay, mallard duck, Canada goose, squirrel,
cottontail and skunk. The white-tailed deer, has taken on the stigma of pest
due to its consumption and destruction of gardens as well as wild areas. Rare
and endangered plants are at risk as is the entire understory, preventing the
maturation of plant communities.
* Sedge Wren
Our garbage has become a staple for omnivores, like raccoons, crows, gulls, blue jays, and chipmunks.
In addition, their diet is supplemented by preying on the nests of migratory songbirds, indulging in
both eggs and chicks. Thus, songbirds, as well as neotropical populations are compromised.
While birdfeeding nourishes our souls as well as animals' guts, it also sustains many adaptables (e.g.,
crows, blue jays and squirrels). Select species are given an advantage. This is evident in the no longer
migrating water fowl, Canada geese, who are at home on our vast supply of turf.
Chemicals can be delivered directly through consumption or contact, or indirectly through
bioaccumulation. Immediate death or prolonged demise by way of altered behavior, reduced reproductive
success and offspring viability are possible outcomes.
Due to wildlife and human habitat overlap, there are more direct and frequent interactions. This bears
physical safety repercussions, including threat of diseases like rabies and Lyme disease. Consequently it
becomes clear that managing alien and adaptable species will become increasingly important.
! Fragmentation of habitat, or the breaking of continuous areas, impact species relaying on the interior
of woodlands such as:
Acadian flycatcher Broad-winged hawk Hermit thrush
American redstart Canada warbler Hooded warbler
Barred owl (Rr)
Cerulean warbler Louisiana waterthrush
Black-and-white warbler
Black-throated green warbler
Eastern wood-pewee Red-eyed vireo
When habitat is fragmented by development-related activities, isolated small parcels result. Even seemingly
benign land uses such as bike trails, often result in the creation of these dividing lines between habitat types.
This resulting specialized edge habitat promotes the proliferation of certain species, again compromising the
delicate balance sustaining biodiversity.
These fragmented deep woods habitats not only lose plant and animal species but also
convert into different habitats, much like ecological succession. Many edge dwellers
such as raccoons and cowbirds prey upon eggs and nesting young of forest-dwelling
songbirds. Other adaptables (e.g, ruffed grouse, hairy woodpecker, pileated
woodpecker, red-breasted nuthatch, white-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, veery,
ovenbird and scarlet tanager) prefer interior woodlands but are able to subsist on the
edge. Large mammals, particularly predators, suffer profoundly when their ranges,
constituted by habitat and the connecting corridors are separated. Bear have become
unexpected visitors in places such as Montville and Boonton Townships.
* Grizzled Skipper
A Natural Resource Management Guide
for the County of Morris 186