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Historic Perspective on Wildlife in North America

Historic Perspective on Wildlife in North America. Understanding “why” sometimes requires perspective Vicariance Biogeography (sec. 20.3 of text) Climate change & associated shifts in habitat Human impact. Example of Vicariance Biogeography. Panamanian Land Bridge formed ~ 2.5 mya.

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Historic Perspective on Wildlife in North America

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  1. Historic Perspective on Wildlife in North America • Understanding “why” sometimes requires perspective • Vicariance Biogeography (sec. 20.3 of text) • Climate change & associated shifts in habitat • Human impact

  2. Example of Vicariance Biogeography

  3. Panamanian Land Bridge formed ~ 2.5 mya

  4. Prehistoric vs. Current Extinctions 1) Species of all types, sizes, from all regions & habitats 2) Magnitude of human-caused extinction 3) Time scale of species losses 4) Size and growth rate of human population

  5. History of Wildlife Conservation in the US • Periods/ eras: • Pre-European settlement • Abundance & Overexploitation • Protection & Game Management • Environment Awareness • 1990s onwards …

  6. Pre-European Settlement(<1600) • Native American dependence on wildlife • Evidence of habitat modification & semi-domestication • Co-existence

  7. Abundance & Overexploitation(1600-1900) • Wildlife perceived as unlimited resource • Market hunting decimated many species • Bounties on predators common

  8. Great Auk Heath Hen Carolina Parakeet

  9. Abundance & Overexploitation(1600-1900) • Overuse coincided with westward expansion • Extinction of many common species • Beginning of conservation laws for game species

  10. Protection & Game Management (1900-1960s) • Extirpation (& near-extirpation) of previously common species • Recognition of overexploitation • End market hunting • Laws to control harvest

  11. Protection & Game Management (1900-1960s) continued …. • Establishment of state fish & game departments • Wildlife Conservation as a Science (Leopold wrote “Game Management” in 1933) • Conservation focus on game species

  12. Environmental Awareness(> mid-1960s) • Greater public interest in wildlife conservation & environmental issues • View of “wildlife” expands to include nongame species and non-consumptive uses • Focus on species reintroduction (ESA) & restoration of ecosystems • Wildlife as a part of biodiversity (1990’s)

  13. Biodiversity in the US

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