History and Legislation Flashcards
What was the attitude of the early settlers in America towards the land?
unlimited supply of timber and wildlife with little or no government or laws to restrict their ambitions.
What was the attitude of the early settlers in America towards the wildlife?
Attitude evolved from unrestricted abundance and harvest to one of regulated management and equitable access.
In early America, how did Native Americans value and use wildlife?
- entire carcass of a bison - meat, hide, entrails and bones
- only killed female bison
-only took tongues or fetuses - other tribes ran herds of bison over cliffs or stored carcasses underwater for months
what era was the first wildlife laws established?
Era of abundance (1500-1849)
What colony established the first bounty system?
Massachusetts Bay Colony
What happened to wildlife population in the era of overexploitation?
populations began to decline
What were the contributing factors to wildlife populations declining in the era of overexploitation?
- habitat modifications
- repeating firearms
- transportation systems
- markets developing for wildlife
The passenger pigeon is an American tragedy. Write the story that led to the extinction of the passenger pigeon?
6- Alexander Wilson (ornithologist that observed one flight of migrating pigeons 250 miles long)
- Tree limb broke under the weight of the roosting bird
- Estimated 136 million nested in a 849 sq mi area of central Wisconsin
- hunting and destruction of habitat led to pigeon’s extinction
- but what really led to the pigeon’s extinction was the railroad (access to nesting colonies and migration routes) and telegraph (kept hunters informed about their location).
- pigeons laid only 1 egg which played a factor into their demise.
By 1885, the last colony was located in Wisconsin
What factors led to the extinction of the Labrador duck?
- eggs overharvested
- Feather trade
- decline in shallow water mollusk populations (food source)
Describe the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862?
Passed on July 2, 1862, this act made it possible for states to establish public colleges funded by the development or sale of associated federal land grants.
In the era of protection, what was the principle cause for wildlife declines?
overexploitation
What is the Lacey Act (1900)?
Prohibits interstate transport of game that had been killed or possessed in violation of state law.
what is the migratory bird law (1913) ?
- gave protection to most migrating birds in North America
- Established federal control over the hunting of all migratory game birds
What is the migratory bird treaty act (1918) ?
includes within the concept of “Take” = hunting, capturing, or possessing adults, young, eggs, or nests
What is the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (1929) ?
This is an act that made regularly appropriated federal funds available for the purchase of refuge lands.
What was the first federal refuge ?
Pelican Island : established in 1903
Who is the father of “Conservation Movement”?
Theodore Roosevelt
What did Theodore Roosevelt establish?
> 100 national forests
5 national parks
4 national game reserves
51 wild bird refuges
what did John Muir contribute to wild places?
- Partly responsible for the development of Yellowstone and Sequoia National Parks.
- Started the Sierra Club
Who is Giffored Pinchot
- chief of what is now known as the U.S. Forest Service
- Author of The Fight for Conservation
- Coined the term “Conservation Ethic”
Who designed the first migratory bird stamp and was his known for his cartoons ?
Jay “Ding” Darling
Who wrote the book Game Management ?
Aldo Leopold
What were some of the significant contributions that Rachel Carson made in the Era of Game Management ?
- Warned others of the effects of synthetic chemical pesticides.
- Challenged scientists and the government
- credited for the recovery of the Bald Eagle
When waterfowl hunters purchase a federal duck stamp, where do the proceeds go?
To wetland restoration and protection
What is the purpose of the Pittman Robertson Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act ?
- Acquisition and improvement of wildlife habitat
- surveys and inventories of wildlife problems
- Acquisition and development of public access use
- Hunter education programs
what is the Dingell Johnson Act ?
Tax placed on fishing tackle and boats to provide funding for research and management of game fish species
What is the purpose of the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act?
to ensure that all possible uses and benefits of the national forests and grasslands would be treated equally.
Which act allowed the creation of National Wilderness areas on U.S. Forest Service Lands ?
Wilderness Act 1964
Explain the success story of the wood duck
- Almost perished in the early 1900s
- hunted through out every season for decorative plumage
-swamps drained for agriculture - Timber When wood ducks nested was harvested at high rates.
Why is releasing native animals raised in captivity into the wild usually unsuccessful ?
-lose wildness in captivity
- not as hardy - reduced fitness
- often released into unsuitable habitat
- expensive
when is put in take management successful?
if an immediate harvest is successful
How is the ring necked pheasant an ecological pest?
-filled the agriculture niche
-parasite nester
how has ring necked pheasants contributed to the economic and cultural success of South Dakota?
bring in tons of money due to licensed hunting of pheasants
List some native species that have benefited from reintroduction programs ?
bison, Mexican gray wolf, wild turkey, Yellowstone wolf, California condor, elk
Explain the case study of reindeer on St. Matthews island
Class case of a boom and bust population
high quality and quantity of food resources (lichens)
high birth rate
low mortality
increase in sedges and grasses
extreme snow, winter 1964
cause of decline: overgrazing and decline of lichens
what was the period of growing environmental awareness and establishing environmental regulations called ?
Era of Environmental Management
What act prevents the “take; of protected marine mammals within territorial water of the U.S.?
Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972)
Describe the Endangered Species Act (1973)
protection for species on the brink of extinction. Broadly prohibited taking, hunting, harming, and harassing protected species
What is the purpose of an environmental impact statement (EIS) ?
Helps public officials make informed decisions that are a reflection of an understanding of environmental consequences and the alternatives available
What is the clean air act (1970) ?
passed to regulate emissions, to protect and improve air quality
What is the Clean Water Act (1977) ?
Passed to regulate discharge of pollutants into U.S. waterways.
What does CITES stand for?
Convention on international Trade in Endangered species of wild fauna and Flora
What act creates a comprehensive strategy for nongame fish and wildlife ?
Fish and Wildlife Act (1980)
What is the food security act ?
a five year omnibus farm bill which allowed lower commodity price, income supports and established a dairy herd buyout program.
What is the name of the two major plans and conservation strategies in the Era of Conservation Management?
Wildlife Action Plan (2005)
Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy
