[ Home ] [ Up ]

A variety of factors affect the ability of wildlife to successfully reproduce and maintain their populations over time. Disease, predator relationships, varying impacts of weather conditions from season to season, accidents, environmental pollution, habitat destruction and degradation are some of these factors. The most fundamental of life's necessities for any animal are food, water, shelter, and space in a suitable arrangement. Without these essential components, animals cannot survive. Acorns are a major part of a white- tailed deer's diet. White oak acorns are the deer's favorite (Its "chocolate"). The annual "mast" or acorn crop is important to the deer's wellness in a forest habitat.

OBJECTIVES

When students have completed this activity, they will be able to:

1. Identify and describe food, water, and shelter as three essential components of habitat.

2. Describe the importance of good habitat for animals.

3. Name several examples of limiting factors.

4.Recognize that fluctuations in wildlife populations are natural as ecological systems undergo a constant change.

MATERIALS

1. Area large enough for students to run

2. Chalkboard or flip chart

3. Writing materials

1. Tell students that they are about to participate in an activity that emphasizes the most essential things animals need to survive. Review the essential components as habitat, food, water, and shelter, as well as the importance of space.

2. Ask your students to count off in fours. Have all the, twos, threes and fours separate from the ones. Mark two parallel lines on the ground or floor ten to twenty meters apart. Have the ones line up behind one line, and the rest of the students behind the other.

3. The ones become "deer." All deer need good habitat in order to survive. Review that the deer also need food, water, and shelter to survive. These "deer" need to find these components. When a "deer" is looking for food, it should clasp its hands over its stomach; when it is looking for water, it should put its hands over its mouth; and when it is looking for shelter, its holds it hands together over its head. Once a "deer" has chosen its symbol, it cannot change.

4. The twos, threes, and fours are food, water, and shelter. Each student, at the beginning of the round, chooses which factor they will be during that round.

5. When the teacher gives the signal, all students turn their backs to the other line and chose their sign.

6. When the students are ready, count to three. At the count of three all students turn around with their signs. When the "deer" (the ones) see their signs they walk quickly toward that person on the other side having the same sign and bring them, back to the deer side of the line. This means that the deer has successfully survived and reproduced. Any "deer" that fails to find food, water, or shelter, "dies" and becomes part of the habitat (joins the group of twos, threes, and fours).

7. The teacher keeps track of how many "deer" there were at the beginning of the game, and at the end of each round. Record the population of "deer" on the movable chalkboard or flip chart. Continue the game for six or more rounds. Keep the pace brisk and students will enjoy it.

8. At the end of six rounds, gather the students together to discuss the activity. Guide the students to observe that during the first few rounds the deer population expanded, until the habitat, food, water, and shelter became depleted. At that point, the deer starved or died of thirst or lack of shelter and returned as part of the environment.

9. Using the chalkboard or flip chart, post the data gathered during the game. The students will be able to see that the "deer" population fluctuated. Discuss the fact that this is a natural process and as long as factors which limit the populations do not become excessive to the point where the animals are unable to successively reproduce then the herd will be in proper balance. Point out that wildlife populations will tend to peak, decline, and rebuild as long as there is good habitat and sufficient numbers of animals to successfully reproduce.

10. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

a. What do animals need to survive?

 

b. What are some of the limiting factors that affect their survival?

 

c. How do wildlife populations fluctuate as part of the overall "balance of nature"?

 

       The Forest Conservancy District Board for Baltimore County

9405 Old Harford Road

Baltimore, Maryland 21234

(410) 665-5820 

Email Robert Prenger ....... rprenger@dnr.state.md.us

 Melvin Noland ....... mlnoland@bcpl.net