3. Encroachment
• The sprawl of human living space places
pressure on wildlife habitat
• 2 million acres of farmland is developed every
year
• Farmland in light production makes excellent
wildlife habitat
• Intensive agriculture allows for less habitat
4. Fragments
• When wildlife habitats are broken into small
pieces and separated from each other
• Creates population problems
• No immigration or emigration
• Reduced reproductive pool
• Decreased species diversity
• The biggest wildlife habitat problem in
Fauquier County
6. Wetlands
• Viewed as wasteland for centuries
• Extremely productive wildlife
habitat
• Many drained and filled for
development
• ½ of all wetlands have been lost
7. Benefits of Wetlands
• Wildlife habitat
• Slow destructive power of floods and storms
• Purify polluted waters
• Provide recreational opportunities
8. Wetland Preservation
• Duck stamps must be purchased by duck
hunters
• Money is used to buy or lease wetlands
• State and Federal Laws prohibit alteration of
wetlands
9. Forests
• East coast of the US was nearly completely
forested before colonists arrived
• Land was cleared for development and agriculture
• Many species were impacted
– Especially Deer and Turkey
• It takes 100s of years to completely regenerate
forests
• Need careful management to allow for harvest
and protect habitat
10. Habitat Alterations that Benefit
Wildlife
• Agriculture residues provide food for wildlife
• Ground birds and small mammals benefit
from grassland habitats
• They provide food for predators
• Field corners that ate not mowed or plowed
provide cover
• Clearing forest tracts allows for diverse wildlife
populations
