Habitat - by George Nelson
What is Habitat ? The dictionary defines it as ; the environment in which an animal or plant normally lives . But what is habitat to us humans ? Or for the purpose of our organization , what is habitat to Deer ?
For us our habitat is not just where we live , it can be our work place , our desk or office , even our vehicle . All these are things we have grown used to being set up a particular way . If you have left work for a time , maybe a long leave or layoff , when you return if things are different , new desk , office , or vehicle . It takes time to grow comfortable again .
Then there is our home . After a move it takes us out of our comfort zone , this is our ultimate habitat . How many of you remember your last move ? The new path to the refrigerator for that 3:00am drink of water , how about the different feeling floor for that half asleep middle of the night potty trip . Here is one , the new sounds that come with a new to you house or neighborhood .
It doesn ’ t take much thought to realize that all of our daily areas and routines are what make up our habitat . What of wildlife ? More specifically , what of Idaho ’ s deer ? What is their habitat and what effects do humans and natural occurrences have on deer habitat ? Most of Idaho ’ s deer , especially Mule deer migrate to and from summer and winter range every year . So there are two habitats . Should we call the migration route itself a habitat ? Much like our living and working space , it too is subject to change . Then there is birthing areas , most deer use these areas for their safety from predators , then move back to the safety of the herd .
What of Mother Earth ? She is forever changing body , the living , breathing changing earth .
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Clement is the most talked about change of late . Some say that man has caused a major change in the earth ’ s clement . Funny thing about that though is that there are little if any records dating back more than one hundred years . So how do we really know what the earth clement was five hundred years ago ? Maybe it has been getting warmer sense the beginning of time . OOPS , off track that debate is for another time . Although clement change might be debatable , man has definitely had an effect on deer habitat . We build subdivisions in the foothills , winter habitat . Roads to and through the mountains , migration routes . Build cabins and log the forest , summer habitat . None of this is to say that humans have done all the bad or irreversible damage to deer habitat . Some forest thinning does open up more grazing areas for deer and elk . Roads can be modified to allow for safe passage of wildlife . Foothill subdivisions are now commonly built with open , natural areas that deer and wildlife during winter and in some cases year round .
These and many other thoughts , ideas and study information will be part of my upcoming serious of articles . I will look at each habitat , natural and manmade changes to said habitat . As well as what we are able to do to maintain or improve , where necessary , that habitat . I hope you will look forward to this serious as I do . If you have any thoughts or ideas , please pass them on , as I love hearing your thoughts . Chat Soon .