Habitat is a encompasses food, water,
shelter, and space arranged to meet the needs of wildlife. Even a small yard
can be ecologically landscaped to attract birds, butterflies, beneficial
insects, and small animals. Trees, shrubs, and other plants provide shelter
and food for wildlife. Man's destructive expansion had made many wild
species homeless!
Today, because most of the natural habitats have been damaged ecologists
are now working on the concept of artificial habitats which are now being
extensively developed to home these wild wonders.The plants used for food
and cover will help determine the wildlife species attracted to your
backyard. Nesting boxes, feeders, and watering sites can be added to improve
the habitat.
Planning a wildlife habitat:
Planning is necessary for attractive and productive wildlife habitat. It is
inevitably required to have both a horizontal area to work with--the size of
the lot--as well as a vertical area that stretches from your soil to the
treetops. The vertical area includes the canopy formed by the tallest tree
branches; understory vegetation consisting of smaller trees, shrubs, and
vines; the floor which is often dominated by low-growing groundcovers; and
the basement where a variety of organisms exist in the soil. Different
wildlife species live in each of these zones, so numerous habitats can be
provided on a small piece of land.
Trees and shrubs are the framework of any landscaping design and are
important for wildlife shelter. Many tree and shrub species are excellent
sources of food for wildlife. Judicious selection of plant material can meet
both the aesthetic needs of the homeowner and the food and shelter needs of
wildlife.
Steps
to create habitat for wildlife:
Identify all existing plants, if any.
Note:
- Condition of the plants and their locations.
- How much shade the trees and shrubs provide?
- Are trees evergreen or do they drop their leaves in the fall?
- Do they provide valuable food sources?
Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs):
Preservation of threatened and endangered species on private lands is one
of Defenders of Wildlife's primary conservation priorities. Habitat
conservation plans, or HCPs, are increasingly popular agreements that
private landowners develop to manage endangered species on their property.
HCPs are not providing adequate protection measures for many of the listed
species they cover. As HCPs now encompass over 14 million acres of land,
Defenders of Wildlife is actively engaged in conducting research and
advocacy in an attempt to strengthen the planning process, content,
implementation, and enforcement of HCPs.
