Human activities like construction, agriculture, mining and development have significantly reduced wildlife habitats by fragmenting large tracts of land into small, isolated pieces. This fragmentation creates population problems for wildlife by preventing migration and reducing genetic diversity. Wetlands, forests and farmland - which can provide excellent habitat if managed properly - have also been degraded or destroyed. However, certain habitat alterations like leaving field corners unplowed can benefit wildlife by providing food and cover. Overall, human encroachment has placed great pressure on wildlife populations by destroying and fragmenting the lands they depend upon.

1. Human Impact on Wildlife
Habitat

2. Habitat Destruction
• Construction
• Agriculture
• Mining
• Timber Harvest
• Pollution

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

5. Arrangement
• Fragments
• Corridors

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