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Wildlife Section. Tips for success at the IRL Envirothon. Know: typical natural communities of the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades (KOE) watershed, the habitats these support, typical wildlife and plants, how does the KOE geography contribute to biodiversity in Florida?
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Wildlife Section Tips for success at the IRL Envirothon
Know: • typical natural communities of the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades (KOE) watershed, the habitats these support, typical wildlife and plants, • how does the KOE geography contribute to biodiversity in Florida? • what changes in the KOE watershed are effecting the landscape support to the biodiversity and ecosystem services? • Why is the Rangeland Management Program important to the KOE landscape ecology? • BIG HINT • Examine the Science Application Questions in the KOE section of the Wildlife Guide.
Be able to identify species in the KOE and know which are listed as “imperiled species”? • Why are they important, i.e. keystone species, and what impacts are effecting their survival and for other species dependent on them? • How has high impact development affected species populations, such as, what is a genetic bottleneck? • What is an invasive species and how are they effecting native species and habitat support? • Know what government agencies and other local and non-profit programs are available to sustain species survival; name some and what type of services do they provide?
• Be aware of what is a stake for species survival for both native communities and the plants and animals they support, and why? • • What ecosystem services do natural communities provide, how are they being displaced by high impact development? • What specific government programs exist to restore or resolve impacted native communities; list some new planning strategies and explain what they are doing? • What local and private programs do your counties provide to homeowners to provide habitat support to native species?
THE BIG PICTURE • Study the Wildlife Guide Sections to Apply the Concepts of the Current issue pertaining to Rangeland Management: • Understand The Landscape Ecology and Biodiversity Connection to the Current Issue “Rangeland Management”. • - How are the regions ranchers and farmers affect surrounding wetlands and the plants and animals that inhabit these environments? • How would the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades ecosystem benefit from rangeland management practices being implemented? What are some? How are they being developed? • Know dominant invasive animals and plants altering native habitats and their effects on native wildlife and natural ecosystems. • Understand Greenway Corridors and other large and small scale habitat restoration practices.