Forestry

This topic examines wildlife biology by exploring taxonomic classifications, habitat needs, life cycles, physical and behavioral adaptations, and the significance of migration in species survival.

• LO 1.1: Distinguish between major taxonomic classifications of wildlife, their typical roles in ecosystems, and their habitat requirements (including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects).
• LO 1.2: Explain an animal's habitat, dietary requirements, and life cycle based on animal signs. 
• LO 1.3: Provide examples of physical and behavioral adaptations (such as mimicry, camouflage, freeze response, hibernation, special organs, et cetera) and how these adaptations benefit wildlife.
• LO 1.4: Describe the significance of migration in the life cycle of certain wildlife species.

This topic covers wildlife ecology by examining food webs, habitat components, ecosystem organization, competition between species, and the importance of edge effects and pollinators in maintaining species diversity and ecosystem health.

• LO 2.1: Diagram a food web with descriptions of the flow of energy within it.
• LO 2.2: Identify the essential components of a habitat.
• LO 2.3: Identify biotic and abiotic factors in ecosystems.
• LO 2.4: Describe the different levels of ecosystem organization, including individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems.
• LO 2.5: Describe competition between species, list examples of this relationship, and explain different strategies used by wildlife to avoid or overcome competition (such as niche partitioning, behavioral adaptations, et cetera)
• LO 2.6: Explain the importance of the edge effect for species diversity and wildlife habitat.
• LO 2.7: Explain the importance of pollinators in natural and agricultural ecosystems.

This topic emphasizes the use of field guides and dichotomous keys to identify New Mexico wildlife species, as well as recognizing species from preserved specimens and animal signs, and identifying invasive and exotic species with and without guides.

• LO 3.1: Use a field guide or dichotomous key to identify New Mexico wildlife species.
• LO 3.2: Identify common New Mexico wildlife species from preserved speciments, skulls, skeletons, pelts, tracks, scat, and other animal signs without the use of a key.
• LO 3.3: Identify invasive and exotic species in New Mexico with and without a field guide.

This topic focuses on forest management practices that promote ecological health and sustainability, Best Management Practices (BMPs) in forestry, management recommendations tailored to forest conditions and goals, and the human uses of forest resources such as timber, recreation, and plant products.

• LO 4.1: Provide definitions and examples for each species designation (such as common, rare, endangered, threatened, endemic, extirpated, and extinct) to illustrate the differences between them.
• LO 4.2: Describe the roles and functions of keystone, umbrella, game, non-game, and indicator species within ecosystems.
• LO 4.3: Interpret population and demographic models.
• LO 4.4: Describe the impacts that changes in climate have on wildlife and their habitat.
• LO 4.5: Describe how invasive and exotic species are spread. 
• LO 4.6: Outline the impacts of invasive and exotic species on New Mexico's ecosystems.
• LO 4.7: Recommend wildlife management practices for a variety of uses (including conservation, connectivity, and hunting) for a variety of landscapes (including grasslands, forests, croplands, wetlands, and urban settings).