2015 Wisconsin Envirothon KEY Wildlife Exam

Transcription

1 2015 Wisconsin Envirothon KEY Wildlife Exam Answers that are correct but differ strongly from answer key must be initialized by Station Captain as an approved answer prior to delivery to score stewards. 1. What is the most common reason for an animal species to become extinct? (2pts) Loss of habitat or habitat loss 2. Habitat Match. Match the term on the left with the correct description on the right. (1pt each, 5pts total) (E) Corridors (D) Fragmentation (A) Succession (B) Edge (C) Vertical layering A. The way plant communities change over time B. The place where two or more different plant communities come together or meet C. Different types of plants growing to different heights D. When habitat becomes divided into smaller and smaller pieces E. Areas of continuous habitat that permit animals to travel securely from one habitat to another /7pts Running Total: 7pts 4/16/2015 FINAL DRAFT Page 1 of 11

2 3. Generalists and Specialists. A generalist species is able to thrive in a wide variety of environmental conditions and can make use of a variety of different resources. A specialist species can only thrive in a narrow range of environmental conditions or has a specific, specialized diet. Look at the pictures of the following species. Label each Wisconsin wildlife species with a (G) for habitat generalist or (S) for habitat specialist. (1pt each, 5pts total) (S) Eastern massasauga rattlesnake (S) Ovenbird (S) Fisher (G) White-tailed deer (G) Opossum 4. A. Define a keystone species. (2pts) Keystone species play a major role in stabilizing several populations of species. B. Give an example of a keystone species and what makes it a keystone species. (2pts) They prey on various other important consumers, without this species the composition of the ecosystem changes drastically with lower level consumers now competing and out competing each other. Species diversity can be lost. Beaver, sea otter, oak trees, wolves, bees 5. A. Define biodiversity (one or two sentences) (2pts) Biodiversity is the biological diversity among and within plant and animal species in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals. B. Explain why biodiversity is so important. (2pts) 1. Biodiversity is central to ecosystem functioning. 2. Diverse ecosystems provide more ecosystems services such as how wetlands serve as sponges to reduce the impacts of floods and can cleanse streams by filtering contaminants from inflowing waters. 3. Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species plays an important role. 4. More diverse ecosystems are healthier and better able to withstand and recover from a variety of disasters. 5. The richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to challenges such as climate change. 6. If biodiversity is reduced in an area, biologists can try to prevent further loss and restore the lost diversity by having a good grasp of what the outcome of different actions, such as reintroducing lost species, will be. 7. As human activities continue reduce the biodiversity on the planet, it becomes increasingly important to know what the effect of our actions will be before we lose any more diversity. /13pts Running Total: 20pts 4/16/2015 FINAL DRAFT Page 2 of 11

3 6. Habitat type. Look at the pictures of the following species. Label the following Wisconsin plant or animal species with its associated habitat. Write P for Prairie, F for Forest or W for Wetland. (1pt each, 8pts total) (P) Big bluestem (W) Bulrush (F) Ruffed grouse _(F or W)_Showy lady slipper (F) Trout lily (P) Black eyed susan (W) American bittern (W) Mink 7. Wildlife is a renewable resource and some species often have a surplus in their autumn populations after the breeding season. Hunting and trapping help wildlife biologists control over-abundant animal populations, like deer and beaver, so that they remain in healthy balance with their habitat. Regulated hunting and trapping have never caused a wildlife population to become threatened or endangered. Hunting and trapping are two proven, effective wildlife management tools. But before a person can hunt or trap, what is the first thing they must accomplish to be in compliance with state hunting/trapping regulations? (2pts) Pass or successfully complete hunter safety/hunter education and/or trapper education Or: successfully pass safety courses in these topics /10pts Running Total: 30pts 4/16/2015 FINAL DRAFT Page 3 of 11

4 8. The wildlife manager s job is to maintain the number of animals in a habitat at or below the habitat s carrying capacity so that no damage is done to the animals or to their habitat. To manage a habitat, wildlife managers must consider historical trends, current habitat conditions, breeding population levels, long-term projections, and breeding success. With that knowledge, wildlife managers have a variety of practices at their disposal to keep habitats in balance. List two beneficial habitat management practices that are used by wildlife managers (besides hunting)? (4pts) 1. Brush pile creation, controlled/prescribed burning, diking, ditching, restoring wetlands, creating wetlands, food plots and plantings, mechanical brush or grass control, nuisance plant (invasives) 2. Animal control, several techniques of timber harvesting such as selective cuts and clear cutting to establish_ different age classes (successional stages), water holdings (ponds, scrapes), native plantings, prairie restoration. 9. White-tailed deer are found throughout North America as well as Wisconsin. This important game species brings many people to Wisconsin to hunt. Hunters spend more time, money, and effort on wildlife conservation than any other group in society! In addition to participating in the harvest of surplus animals, list one other way hunters help sustain game populations? (2pts) Fill out questionnaires, participating in surveys, register their animals, provided samples from harvested animals, helping fund wildlife management through license fees, protect lands, raise money through state or local conservation clubs for wildlife habitat projects, and participate in habitat projects sponsored by state or local conservation clubs. 10. What mosquito-borne virus, of African origin, reached Wisconsin in 2001? It is of concern to wildlife biologists because it particularly targets and causes death in corvids (crows, ravens & jays) and some raptors. Horses and people are also susceptible to this disease. (2pts) West Nile Virus 11. What is a zoonotic disease? (2pts) A disease that is transmitted between animals and people /10pts Running Total: 40pts 4/16/2015 FINAL DRAFT Page 4 of 11

5 12. List two ways in which people introduce exotic species into an area. (4pts) Aesthetics, sport hunting & fishing, economic benefits, biological controls, unintentional 13. Look at the pictures of the following species. Write N if the plant or animal is Native to Wisconsin, E if the species is an Exotic non-native species, or R if the species is Native to Wisconsin, but was at one time extirpated and then later Re-introduced back to Wisconsin. (1pt each, 8pts total) (E) Wild boar (N) Big bluestem (E) Spotted knapweed (E) Glossy buckthorn (R) American marten (N) Sharp-tailed grouse (R) American elk (N) Red-headed woodpecker 14. A. Non-native invasive plant species are of great conservation concern to Wisconsin s wildlife managers. Name one invasive plant species (common name) that has plagued Wisconsin s woods, fields or waters. (2pts) Garlic mustard, Glossy Buckthorn, knapweed (Knotted or Japanese), Purple Loosestrife, Wild Parsnip, honeysuckle (Tartarian/Japanese/Amur), Phragmites, Multiflora Rose. Other invasive species listed will be graded by the station captain. B. List two reasons why invasive plants are of concern to conservationists. (4pts) Invasive species tend to out-compete native species for space. Invasive species usually lack natural control measures such as insects that eat them or diseases that keep their growth in check. They often are not a preferred food plant for herbivores. Some invasive plants create such dense stands that they make it difficult for some animals to find nesting cover or they even prevent animals from moving through it. /18pts Running Total: 58pts 4/16/2015 FINAL DRAFT Page 5 of 11

6 15. Why is baiting or feeding wildlife a health concern compared to food plots? (4pts) Baiting/feeding forces animals to eat from the same spot (increasing contact and exposure to diseases) whereas food plots mimic natural food sources that tend to reduce animal contact. 16. The American marten is currently Wisconsin s only endangered mammal. One important reason this species is endangered is due to the loss of a very specific habitat. What are three specific requirements for good American marten habitat? (6pts) Lots of structure (snags), high conifer component to stand, large contiguous stands, few openings, large trees for den sites, source of clean fresh water, adequate supply of their preferred food, deep snow depth. /10pts 4/16/2015 FINAL DRAFT Page 6 of 11

7 Running Total: 68pts ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS USING THE CORRESPONDING EXHIBITS 17. Exhibit A: Listen to the following two amphibian audio clips. (2pts each, 4pts total) a. This is a call that can be heard on warm summer nights throughout the eastern half of the United States. What amphibian is making this sound (common name)? American toad or toad b. This is a call that may be heard in the forests during the evening. This species is characterized by its prominent black "mask" extending from the tip of its snout through the eye and tympanum. This species is found throughout Canada, parts of the Midwest, and Northeastern United States. What amphibian is making this sound (common name)? Wood frog 18. Exhibit B: What is the common name of this specimen? (2pts) Ruffed Grouse 19. Exhibit C: Listen to the following two bird audio clips. (2pts each, 4pts total) a. The bird making this call can be found throughout the United States and is special to Wisconsin. What bird is making this sound (common name)? American robin b. The bird making this call doesn t migrate and doesn t molt into a dull plumage, so they re still breathtaking in winter s snowy backyards. In summer, their sweet whistles are one of the first sounds of the morning. This bird can be found throughout the eastern half of the United States. What bird is making this sound (common name)? Cardinal 20. Exhibit D: What is the common name of this specimen? (2pts) Ring-necked pheasant or pheasant /12pts 4/16/2015 FINAL DRAFT Page 7 of 11

8 Running Total: 80pts 21. Exhibit E: Answer questions based on the mounted specimen. (2pts each, 6pts total) a. This is the most common bat in North American. What is its common name? Little brown bat b. Recent estimates suggest million bats have died over the past seven years. A disease poses a severe threat to all four of Wisconsin's cave bat species. What fungal disease is threatening extinction of this bat and several other cave-dwelling bats? White-nose syndrome c. Bats are a vital part of many ecosystems and the loss of bats will have significant environmental, economic, and public health implications. Please list one way you can help save bats. Donate money to bat research, build a bat house, learn how to properly exclude bats from unwanted areas, and conduct bat surveys 22. Exhibit F: Look at the wildlife pelt patch and corresponding skull. (2pts each, 4pts total) a. To what Wisconsin animal does this pelt and skull belong to (common name)? Beaver b. Is this species considered an herbivore, omnivore, or a carnivore? Herbivore 23. Exhibit G: Look at the two wildlife tracks. (2pts each, 6pts total) a. What is the common name for the species of track A? Coyote b. What is the common name for the species of track B? Wolf c. When wildlife biologists conduct track surveys, they look at the shape and size of the track as well as other factors to determine what species made the track. Of the two species above, which species has the longer stride pattern? Wolf /16pts 4/16/2015 FINAL DRAFT Page 8 of 11

9 Running Total: 96pts 24. Exhibit H: Look at the skull. (2pts each, 4pts total) a. To what Wisconsin animal does skull belong to (common name)? Bobcat b. Is this species considered an herbivore, omnivore, or carnivore? Carnivore /4pts 4/16/2015 FINAL DRAFT Page 9 of 11

10 Running Total: 100pts Tie breaker question: What animal does this antler belong to? What is Wisconsin doing right now to increase the population of this animal? (4pts) American Elk The department recently wrote a new elk management plan that was quickly put into motion. The management plan, and current efforts, include the following: An agreement is in place with the state of Kentucky to import as many as 150 elk over a 3-5 year period. Of these wild elk: o up to 75 will be added to the existing Clam Lake herd with a long-term population goal of 1,400 elk; and o up to 75 will be used to establish a new elk herd in the Black River State Forest with a long-term population goal of 390 elk; allow for the assisted dispersal of elk to suitable habitat within the existing elk ranges; Recognize the importance of quality habitat and the factors that correspond with reducing predator impacts; and Increase the size of the current Clam Lake range to include more and better habitat. /4 TB 4/16/2015 FINAL DRAFT Page 10 of 11

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