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Nature in Balance

Nature in Balance. What role do we play ? b y Jo Picken , Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Texas is a place like no other. most diverse state for plant and animal species. # ___. 2nd. Behind ______________. California. in number of endemic species. #___. 3rd.

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Nature in Balance

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  1. Nature in Balance What role do we play? by Jo Picken, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

  2. Texas is a place like no other • most diverse state for plant and animal species #___ 2nd • Behind ______________ California • in number of endemic species #___ 3rd • Behind ______________ and _______________ Hawaii California • in number of both bird and reptile species #___ 1st

  3. Texas is a place like no other 10 ecoregions • Elevations range from sea level to 5200 feet • a peak reaching 8749 1 has an annual precipitation of less than 8 inches, Another receives 56 inches

  4. Native Texas Species In Peril • Bear • Mountain lion • Chipmunk • Prairie dog • Pronghorn • Otter* • Ocelot! Extinct Here • Bison • Jaguar • Bighorn sheep, (brought back) • Wolf (red and gray)

  5. Common Animal Species • Armadillo • Bat (33 species) • Dolphin • Mole • Alligator • Coyote • Bobcat • Fox • Raccoon • Opossum • Rabbit • Deer • Skunk • Squirrel • Beaver ** specific habitat needs

  6. Which Are Keystone Species? • Armadillo • Bat (27 species) • Dolphin • Mole • Alligator • Beaver • Coyote • Bobcat • Fox • Raccoon • Opossum • Rabbit • Deer • Skunk • Squirrel • Badger • Gopher • Ground squirrel • Javelina • Porcupine • Bear • Mountain lion • Chipmunk • Prairie dog • Pronghorn • Otter • Bison • Jaguar • Ocelot • Bighorn sheep • Wolf (red and gray)

  7. Beavers • Habitat Engineer = Wetlands • Increase diversity both plant & animal population • Up to ½ of all North American bird species feed or nest in • More than 1/3 of endangered or threatened species rely on • Home to nearly 1/3 of our plant species

  8. Ecological Indicators • Birds • Amphibians

  9. What does imbalance look like? While threatened, endangered, or extinct species are definitely signs, there is no one answer. Causes? • Disease • Predator/prey relationships • Weather • Human influence or interaction with the habitat

  10. What does balance look like? • There is no blueprint. • Ever-changing, ebbing, flowing –dynamic equilibrium • Removing a portion of it leaves a mark. • That part is incapable of functioning independently outside of the ecosystem • Impacts the remainder of an interconnected web • Nature’s design is best. • Energy pyramid

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