Wildlife and Urbanization Process - Essay Example

Wildlife has been a source of income for many countries over the years. The wildlife populations rely on their surrounding for survival since they obtain their basic needs from the ecosystem. An ecosystem ensures that wildlife populations get sufficient food, water, shelter and space (Caughley, 2013). If all the mentioned basic needs are not adequately provided in an ecosystem, then the existence and survival of wildlife populations are very minimal. Urbanization refers to the growing, and development of urban centers. Urbanization has affected the sustainability of wildlife population in one way or another. The purpose of this paper is to explain in detail how people can live in a way that will stand wildlife populations.

All populations of living things are interconnected. In case a single population of animals, crops or insects rise or fall then other species of living things will also experience the impacts of these changes. For instance, if shrubs are cut down from an ecosystem, the number of rabbits will drop. The fallen rabbit population will reduce the number of predators that use rabbits as a source of food. The amount of appropriate habitat for wildlife population will control the number of creatures that can survive in that system. The activities of human beings have the greatest effect on the quantity and quality of wildlife ecology. Wildlife habitat can be ruined, or its quality lessened because of urbanization, agricultural activities, pollution, and sedimentation or habitat destruction.

Human activities have either positive or negative effect on wildlife populations. The paper focuses on the activities that cause a positive impact on the wildlife populations. Most of the human activities should aim at enhancing and protecting the habitat or ecosystems of wildlife. At a glance planting of trees, protecting water bodies, nesting boxes are just but a few things human beings do to sustain the wildlife population (Caughley & Sinclair, 2012).It is depressing to hear that people are interfering with the natural ecosystem, which constitutes wildlife. Sometimes we feel like we are part of the shortcoming rather than the way forward. However, each person can assist in providing the best environment for our wildlife. The paper contains ten ways in which we can assist sustain wildlife populations.

The first method by making sure that your cat is an indoor cat. Cats are good pets, and there is no problem to have one. It is known that cats are predators. When they are kept indoors, they will kill and feed on harmful and destructive pests such as rats and mice within that particular building or room. However, these cats can be a threat to the wildlife populations when they are left free to roam outdoors. They will feed on defenseless native birds. Some researchers have revealed that approximately 500 million birds every year lose their lives to cats in North America.

If a person has difficulties in controlling his cat, hanging a bell on it will help. Birds fear loud noises; therefore, the noises from the bell will serve as a warning to them. However, the limitation of this method is that birds assume the ringing bell till the cat appears and this may sometime be too late for them to escape. The best way is to train our cats to be indoors petted. This will both save the lives of birds and also improve the health of the cat. The cat will be healthier since there will be a reduced possibility of picking up parasites and illness. The cat will be less involved in fights with other cats and be knocked by vehicles. Indoor cats often live longer lives than outdoor cats.

The second way is by human beings living preserving the wildlife habitat. All land stewards and landowners should always be giving priority to wildlife when making decisions on what to be done on the specific undeveloped pieces of land (Oakleaf et al., 2014). Only one tree can change the lives of all types of wildlife by offering permanent or seasonal homes for them. Dead trees are helpful just the live ones. Some types of animals such as squirrels like to live in the holes of dead trees, and some mammals and birds feed on wood-eating insects. My suggestion to landowners is that in case of an upright dead tree; leave it where it is to sustain these wildlife populations.

The same applies for wet spots in woods or bare lands that dry up at some time. These spots may be seen as useless, but that is not the reality. They usually offer significant breeding sites for amphibians such as frogs and salamanders. Birds and animals that enjoy feeding on amphibians can get their food from such spots.

The third way is to provide water. Wild animals can get food from the surrounding on their own. Water, however, is a big problem for them especially in summer when it dries up and in winter when it freezes. Human beings can assist by sustaining and frequently refilling a source of clean water for wildlife to drink (Hackel, 2010). A small pool that other animals can access apart from birds is appropriate. Those people from frigid places will need a heating equipment to prevent the water from freezing during winter. Another thing to put into consideration is that the water sources should not be in bushes but in open grounds where predators cannot ambush the prey while drinking water.

Human beings tend to use pesticides and other chemicals in agricultural activities. Majority of the chemicals used outdoors to eradicate insect pests can also endanger birds and helpful insects such as bees and butterflies (Saunders et al., 2013).Some chemical fertilizers used in farms are washed into water sources, where they encourage algae growth and cause other kinds of environmental degradation. Instead of using chemicals outdoors, people should find natural means of controlling pests and allow your crops to grow healthy.

Additionally, people should not use bug lights and zappers to eradicate mosquitoes and other biting insects out of houses. These equipment use light to attract the creatures, but some are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide. The devices at long-last kill many innocent insects which are a source of food for birds and fish. Therefore this is not the appropriate way of curbing mosquitoes and biting insects and people should stop using it.

The fifth way human being can live to sustain wildlife population is through planting a wildlife garden. People should not undermine their gardens because they are small. No matter how small a garden is, it can still grow several crops that can offer nourishment to insects and other wildlife. Even a tiny window box with the correct type of flowers can be of great assistance to some species. Try all means possible to make sure that your garden is helpful the native birds in your surroundings. Therefore, you need to have adequate information on the kind of birds and what they feed on. Those who are lucky to own huge gardens should practice mixed planting of crops and trees that support the survival of butterflies, birds, and bees.

Human beings should feed birds the correct way. There is no problem with feeding wild animals especially if you good motivates. Some people feed wild animals with poisoned food to kill them. This activity should stop if we want to maintain the population of our wildlife. People with the habit of feeding wild birds should have in mind that commercial bird food is not made equally and not all have the correct types of nutrition for a majority of the wild birds (Alpert, 2011). It is important to carry out some research on the nutritional needs of the wild birds in your surroundings and choose a food combination that will most appropriate for the kind of wild birds in the area.

Additionally, backyard feeder often draws more birds than would naturally appear in a location. Therefore, if by any chance you choose to stop the supply of food to the birds, then they will suffer hunger since they will be too many to be fed by the natural food. If one starts feeding the process should continue until spring when natural food is more available. A friend can assist with filling the feeders if you travel or go on a vacation.

Mammals such as deer and raccoons should never be fed. Feeding these creatures makes them not be independent and reduces the fear people have for them. This results to incidences of conflict between the animals and human beings. This may negatively affect the creatures by either being sad or being mistreated by human beings.

People should have the interest of becoming a wildlife rehabilitator. Many countries authorize only trained volunteers to perform the duty of wildlife rehabilitator (Newmark & Hough, 2012). Wildlife rehabilitators are simply individuals who look after injured, ill or orphaned wildlife. For you to perform these duties, you need to have special skills and knowledge. No one should perform these duties with no qualification. If you come across an animal that needs assistance you can first perform tactics that will ensure that the creature is safe and secure then reach a person who is a wildlife rehabilitator or relevant authorities.

It is advisable for people to have that motive of becoming a wildlife rehabilitator. If you are interested, you can probably ask for the way forward from an individual who is already performing that duty. Urbanization has made it possible for wildlife rehabilitation centers to be more accessible since some are nowadays located in our cities.

The eighth way in which human beings can help in sustaining wildlife populations is by providing nesting sites and homes for them. Advancement by people has damaged spots where creatures were looking for their food and locations to live and bring up their offspring (Treves et al., 2013). The best way of compensating is by replacing the lost nests and resting points. The most conversant human made nesting point is the birdhouse. These structures are very beneficial especially if they constructed to favor the native bird species.

Those who want to put up a birdhouse should conduct a small research on the birds that are in need of artificial homes in the area and then purchase or construct something that suits them. Make sure you also consider all the necessary precautions that will ensure no predator enters the structure to kill the birds or their offspring. For those staying in bluebird nations, the best option is to seek permission of having your bluebird trail.

The bees have also suffered the problems of habitat loss. These creatures can be assisted by either purchasing or constructing their house and place it in a proper location. The bats who assist people by feeding millions of flying insects also want spots to live.

People should notice and undo wildlife traps. Litter and other wastes that are not properly disposed of may trap or hurt wildlife (Newmark & Hough, 2012). Poorly discarded fishing lines can trap birds and other creatures making them easy to catch for the predators. Plastic bags may suffocate some creatures leading to their death. They can be mistakenly fed by creatures such as sea turtles. Human beings should therefore not litter and pick up any form of litter you come across to save a life of a wild creature. Open windows and other spaces may attract birds into the building, and later they may not make it out. If the building is not occupied the bird will end up dying inside. Therefore, we should close up spaces in buildings that are occupied

Lastly, we can donate, volunteer and vote to save wildlife populations. We can be even better wildlife assistants when we combine forces with other individuals. If you can afford to offer any help to wildlife groups, then do not hesitate.

In conclusion, human activities have several impacts on the wildlife population as described on this paper. The daily activities people do may seem useless, but in one way or another, it has an impact on the wildlife populations. Human beings should, therefore, choose to follow the activities that support the survival of wild creatures since they are also important and helpful to them.

If a person has difficulties in controlling his cat, hanging a bell on it will help. Birds fear loud noises; therefore, the noises from the bell will serve as a warning to them. However, the limitation of this method is that birds assume the ringing bell till the cat appears and this may sometime be too late for them to escape. The best way is to train our cats to be indoors petted. This will both save the lives of birds and also improve the health of the cat. The cat will be healthier since there will be a reduced possibility of picking up parasites and illness. The cat will be less involved in fights with other cats and be knocked by vehicles. Indoor cats often live longer lives than outdoor cats.

The second way is by human beings living preserving the wildlife habitat. All land stewards and landowners should always be giving priority to wildlife when making decisions on what to be done on the specific undeveloped pieces of land (Oakleaf et al., 2014). Only one tree can change the lives of all types of wildlife by offering permanent or seasonal homes for them. Dead trees are helpful just the live ones. Some types of animals such as squirrels like to live in the holes of dead trees, and some mammals and birds feed on wood-eating insects. My suggestion to landowners is that in case of an upright dead tree; leave it where it is to sustain these wildlife populations.

The same applies for wet spots in woods or bare lands that dry up at some time. These spots may be seen as useless, but that is not the reality. They usually offer significant breeding sites for amphibians such as frogs and salamanders. Birds and animals that enjoy feeding on amphibians can get their food from such spots.

The third way is to provide water. Wild animals can get food from the surrounding on their own. Water, however, is a big problem for them especially in summer when it dries up and in winter when it freezes. Human beings can assist by sustaining and frequently refilling a source of clean water for wildlife to drink (Hackel, 2010). A small pool that other animals can access apart from birds is appropriate. Those people from frigid places will need a heating equipment to prevent the water from freezing during winter. Another thing to put into consideration is that the water sources should not be in bushes but in open grounds where predators cannot ambush the prey while drinking water.

Human beings tend to use pesticides and other chemicals in agricultural activities. Majority of the chemicals used outdoors to eradicate insect pests can also endanger birds and helpful insects such as bees and butterflies (Saunders et al., 2013).Some chemical fertilizers used in farms are washed into water sources, where they encourage algae growth and cause other kinds of environmental degradation. Instead of using chemicals outdoors, people should find natural means of controlling pests and allow your crops to grow healthy.

Additionally, people should not use bug lights and zappers to eradicate mosquitoes and other biting insects out of houses. These equipment use light to attract the creatures, but some are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide. The devices at long-last kill many innocent insects which are a source of food for birds and fish. Therefore this is not the appropriate way of curbing mosquitoes and biting insects and people should stop using it.

The fifth way human being can live to sustain wildlife population is through planting a wildlife garden. People should not undermine their gardens because they are small. No matter how small a garden is, it can still grow several crops that can offer nourishment to insects and other wildlife. Even a tiny window box with the correct type of flowers can be of great assistance to some species. Try all means possible to make sure that your garden is helpful the native birds in your surroundings. Read More