Wildlife Habitat

When deciding to use your land to better support wildlife, research is important for determining best practices to ensure that species benefit from the types of habitat incorporated in your land. Different species have different needs based on factors such as their feeding, predation, water intake, size, and preferred shelter. Native plants work as the foundation to a healthy wildlife habitat as they provide cover, food, shelter, and more. Native species are accustomed to the climate and rainfall of the local area, requiring less care and having a greater chance of survival against the competition of invasive species.

All about the basics! Successful wildlife habitat requires providing basic needs, such as shelter, water, food, and space for reproduction and raising offspring. Providing a variety of native plant species and habitat elements, such as ground cover, water sources, trees, and shrubs, will allow for a sustainable habitat for a greater variety of species. Organisms have a tolerance range in which they can survive, meaning their needs need to be met and if a factor falls out of that range, such as temperature or water availability, that organism will not be able to sustain life in that environment.

For forests, pasture, riparian areas, rangeland, and more, brush management and noxious weed management are beneficial to habitat health. Brush management can allow for more habitat area and forage, as well as increase water availability. Noxious weeds and invasive plant species are volatile to other organisms, and will fight for total control of water, nutrients, and space. Invasive species management allows for a variety of plant species to grow in an area, creating greater biodiversity and a healthier ecosystem.

Other management and conservation practices that can be useful with wildlife habitat can include controlled burns, cover crops, ground cover, wildlife corridors, and more.