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Aquatics | Forestry | Soils | Wildlife
Current Issue

Pennsylvania Envirothon 2009
Wildlife Station
Essential Topics

I. Knowledge of Birds and Mammals
  a. Bird and mammal identification
  b. Natural history of birds and mammals
  c. Habitat/ecosystem types and associated wildlife
II. Understanding Wildlife Ecology
  a. Survival requirements of wildlife and how they are met
  b. Ecosystem dynamics:
  *Predator-prey relationships *Energy flow-food chain, food web, food pyramid *Succession
  c. Adaptations
  d. Population dynamics
III. Conservation and Management of Wildlife
  a. Pennsylvania Game Commission
  b. Hunting and Trapping regulations
  c. Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife code
  d. Wildlife Management
  e. Improving/managing habitat for wildlife
IV. Issues Involving Wildlife and Society
  a. Biodiversity
   
  • Levels of Biodiversity
   
  • Importance of biodiversity ecologically and in our every day life
   
  • Loss of biodiversity causes and implications
  b. Endangered and threatened species
    *What makes a species more prone to becoming endangered than other species?
    *Responsibility for upholding endangered species act
    *Terminology: for example, reintroduction, endangered, threatened, extirpated, and extinct
    *Endangered and threatened birds and mammals of PA
  c. Habitat loss and fragmentation
  d. Managing/planning for people and wildlife
  e. Non-native species; invasive species; introduced species
  f. Reintroduction of native species
  g.

Current Issue - Biodiversity

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Learning Objectives *Correlated with the Academic Standards and Assessment Anchors for Environment and Ecology

Envirothon Students will be able to:
1. Knowledge of Wild Birds and Mammals
a. Answer questions concerning the natural history of wild bird and mammal species and identify birds and mammals if given natural history information.
b. Identify and be able to group animals that would be associated with specific ecosystems.
c. Evaluate a specific habitat and select or list species most likely to live there.

d.

 Describe various roles of birds and mammals in their ecosystems and be able to cite examples.
e. Identify wildlife species from mounted specimens, pictures or silhouettes. (Species for items a - e are selected from the Wildlife Notes on List B in the Appendix.)
f. Identify wildlife species based on signs including: fur, hair, feathers, gnawings, rubbings, pellets, tracks*, skulls ♦ and scat. (tracks for *animals only and skulls for ♦ animals) - Wildlife species are selected from list C in the Appendix.
g. Identify birdcalls of bird species found on list A in the Appendix.
h. Describe ways habitat can be managed/imporved for specific birds and mammals.
 

*4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions - 4.6.7.A, C, 10.A, and 12.C

*4.7 Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species - 4.7.7.A, C, 10.A, and C

2. Understanding Wildlife Ecology
a. Identify basic needs required by wildlife.
b. Identify, describe, and explain specific anatomical, physiological and/or behavioral adaptations of wildlife to the environment and how they help the animal survive. (i.e. migration, hibernation, defense posturing, strong beak, webbed feet, etc.)
c. Describe predator-prey relationships, discuss physical adaptations of predator vs. prey species, and be able to cite examples.
d. Describe and be able to model food chains, food webs, trophic levels - be able to cite examples.
 

*4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions - 4.6.7.A and 10.A

*4.7 Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species - 4.7.7.A, C, 10.A and C

e. Describe factors that limit or enhance population growth.
f. Define and explain terms associated with wildlife biology and wildlife populations. (i.e. natality, mortality, precocial, atricial, crepuscular, nocturnal, delayed implantation, carnivore, niche, herbivore, insectivore, omnivore, producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer,etc.).
g. Define and explain basic ecological concepts and terminology (i.e. limiting factor, biological carrying capacity, cultural carrying capacity, territory, home range, population, community, succession, forest fragmentation, etc.).
 

*4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions - 4.6.7.A and C

*4.7 Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species - 4.7.7.C and 10.C

3. Conservation and Management of Wildlife 
a. Describe the role of the Game Commission as the agency responsible for the protection, conservation, and management of wild birds and mammals of Pennsylvania.
b. Identify the Game Commission as the agency responsible for hunting and trapping regulations and upholding the Game and Wildlife code in the state of Pennsylvania.
c. Answer questions concerning hunting and trapping regulations - related to pages indicated in the Reference section of the Appendix.
d. Classify birds and mammals as to Game and Wildlife Code classifications.
e. Identify and describe methods that can be used to evaluate a habitat.
f. Identify and describe methods that can be used to determine the abundance and distribution of wildlife.
g. Identify and describe methods that can be used to determine the specific needs of a species.
h. Describe methods used to manage and conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat.
i. Describe ways each person can help in the protection, conservation management and enhancement of wild bird and mammal populations.
 

*4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions - 4.6.7.A, 10.A, C, and 12.C

*4.8 Humans and the Environment - 4.8.7.D, 10.C and D

*4.9 Environmental Laws and Regulations - 4.9.7.A and 10.A

4. Issues Involving Wildlife and Society
a. Define biodiversity and provide examples of how biodiversity is important to people and wildlife.
b. Describe levels of biodiversity (genetics, species, and ecosystem or community) and explain why diversity within each level is important for healthy environment.
c. Describe implications of biodiversity loss at each of the 3 levels of biodiversity.
d. Identify and explain the major causes of loss of biodiversity inour state and worldwide.
e. Explain the relationship of deer and deer management with biodiversity in our state.
 

*4.3 Environmental Health - 4.3.7.C and 10.C

*4.7 Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species - 4.7.7.A, C, 10.A, and 12.A and C

f. Identify and explain the terms used in endangered and threatened species, for example: extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, candidate species, and reintroduction
g. Identify wild birds and mammals that are listed as endangered, extirpated, threatened or candidate species.  Know natural history and habitat requirements.  Describe the main causes that have led to the depleted populations and describe measures being taken to help their recovery.
h. Identify and explain factors that have led to species becoming endangered and threatened.
i. Identify and explain factors which can make a species more likely to become endangered and threatened.
j. Identify and explain methods and management practices that are used to save an endangered or threatened species.
k. Describe major causes of habitat loss in Pennsylvania and how habitat loss affects wildlife.
l. Explain the role of the Endangered Species Act in helping to conserve endangered and threatened species.
m. Know the organizations and agencies responsible for listing species on global, federal, and state level.
n. Describe specific impacts of people on biodiversity - both negative and positive, for example:
  Negative impacts include but are not limited to:
 
  • Fragmentation of habitat due to roads and trails, buildings, etc.
 
  • Disturbance of wildlife in nexting seasons due to human activity and noise.
 
  • Destruction of habitat due to vehicle.
 
  • Death and/or injury of species by vehicle collision.
 
  • Trash interfering with wildlife health through food intake or causing injury to wildlife.
 
  • Pesticides or other changes to environment to make areas more comfortable.
  Positive impacts include but are not limited to:
 
  • Enhancement of wildlife habitat in order to attract wildlife for viewing.
 
  • Increase knowledge of wildlife through visiting wildlife and natural areas.
 
  • Increase appreciation of wildlife and the importance of the natural world - leads to conservation.
 
  • Funding for wildlife management.
 

*4.7 Threatened Endangered and Extinct Species - 4.7.7.B, C, 10.B and C, 12.B and C

*4.9 Environmental Laws and Regulations - 4.9.10.A

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Reference Materials List
The following references can be found on Envirothon Wildlife CD.
1.  Wildlife Note Series - see List B for Wildlife Notes needed
2. Helping Wildlife: Working with Nature booklet - This booklet can be obtained by contacting your County's Envirothon Coordinator.
3.  Envirothon Animal Tracks - see List C for Identification of Wildlife sign indicated by an asterisk *
4. Envirothon Skull Reference Resource: compiled by PA Game Commission - see List C for Identification of Wildlife sign indicated by a diamond  ♦.
5. Endangered and Threatened Species
6.

2008-2009 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping regulations the following sections 7 only: General Hunting Regulations; State Game Land Regulations;  Wildlife Classifications (on p. 59 of book or click on harvest Report and Dog Hunting page to find Wildlife Classification on web); Youth Hunting Opportunities ;ATV Use, CWD, and Fluorescent Orange Requirements.  (This can be found on the PGC web page at www.pgc.state.pa.us , go to Quick Clicks (right column) and click on 2008-2009 Digest.)
7. 2008-2009 Hunting and Trapping Annual
8. Pennsylvania Envirothon Bird Song CD
9. PGC Skull Envirothon resource - To view drawings of skulls go to Smithsonian Institute Zoology, North American Mammals website and search by species name.
10. Biodiversity: PA Species, Ecosystems and Biodiversity

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LIST A: Identification of BIRD Calls, Songs, and Sounds (Based on Pennsylvania Envirothon Bird Song CD)

Mourning Dove

Robin

Northern Flicker

Bluejay

Canada Goose

Red-Tailed Hawk

Wood Duck

American Crow

Cardinal

House Sparrow

Black-Capped Chickadee

Ring-Necked Pheasant Wood Thrush

House Wren

Great-Horned Owl

Barred Owl

Screech Owl

American Woodcock

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-Winged Blackbird

Great Blue Heron

Wild Turkey

Mallard

Meadowlark

Barn Owl

Kestrel

Common Nighthawk

Grouse

Eastern Towhee

Osprey

Bald Eagle
 
LIST B: Identification, Natural History, Wildlife Biology, and Habitat Evaluation based on the following Wildlife Notes (new notes italicized):

Bats

Beaver

Black Bear

Blackbirds, Orioles,

  Cowbird and Starling

Bluejay

Bobcat

Canada Goose Chickadees,

  Nuthatches, Titmouse

   and Brown Creeper

Chimney Swifts, Purple

   Martin and Swallows Common Nighthawk

   and Whip-poor-wills

Chipmunk

Cottontail Rabbit

Crows and Ravens

Diving Ducks

Eagles and Osprey Eastern Coyote

Elk

Finches and House Sparrow

Fisher

Foxes (Red and Gray)

Flycatchers

Gray Catbird, Northern

   Mockinbird and Brown

   Thrasher

Hawks (Raptors)

Heron Family

Mallard

Mice and Voles

Minks and Muskrats Opossum

Otter (River)

Owls

Porcupine

Puddle Ducks

Raccoon

Ruffed Grouse

Shrews

Sparrows and Towhee

Snow Goose

Squirrels

Thrushes

Tundra Swan

Vultures

Weasels

White-Tailed Deer

Wild Turkey

Wrens

Woodchuck

Woodcock

Woodpeckers

Most Wildlife Notes may be found on the PGC web site, www.pgc.state.pa.us, click on Wildlife (left hand), and then on Wildlife Notes (on right hand side of screen).
 
LIST C: Identification of WILDLIFE SIGN SIGNS CAN INCLUDE: fur, hair, feathers, gnawings, rubbings, pellets, nests, scat, skulls  ♦, and tracks* (only *animals for tracks and only ♦ animals for skulls.)

Baltimore Oriole

Black Bear*♦ Beaver*♦

Black-Capped Chickadee

Bobcat*♦

Blue Winged Teal

Black Duck (see puddle ducks)

Canada Goose Cottontail Rabbit ♦ Coyote*♦

Crow

Bluebird (See Thrushes)

Elk*

House Sparrow

Fisher

Gray Fox*

Green-winged Teal

Mallard

Mink*

Muskrat

Opossum*

Owl

Pileated Woodpecker

Pheasant, Ring-Necked Porcupine*

Raccoon *♦

Red Fox*

River Otter*

Robin (See Thrushes)

Ruffed Grouse

Gray Squirrel

Red Squirrel

Striped Skunk*

White-Tailed Deer*♦ Wild Turkey

Wood Duck

Woodchuck

Woodcock

Yellow-bellied sapsucker (see Woodpeckers)

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Pennsylvania Game Commission Website: www.pgc.state.pa.us

Northwest Region, PO Box 31, Franklin, PA 16323 814-432-3188
Southwest Region, 4820 Route 711, Bolivar, PA 15923 724-238-9523
Northcentral Region, PO Box 5038, Jersey Shore, PA 17740 570-398-4744
Southcentral Region, 8627 William Penn Highway, Huntingdon, PA 16652 814-643-1831
Northeast Region, PO Box 220, Dallas, PA 18612 570-675-1143
Southeast Region, 448 Snyder Road, Reading, PA 19605 610-926-3136
PA Game Commission Headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110 717-787-6286

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