Preservation of Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Essay -- Argumentative

Preservation of Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Ever since 1973, when the imperil Species Act came into being, conservationists and private landowners have been debating over whether to preserve the base grounds of many jeopardize species found in unprotected areas (Ligon et al, 1986). Increasing levels of human development has lead to the cutting of old-growth sets and construction of roads and other physical barriers to wildlife. These activities have greatly contributed to the fragmentation of wildlife habitat, which has had detrimental effects on the population structure and survivorship of the affect areas indigenous species. One species that has been affected by habitat fragmentation is the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), a nonmigratory bird with a home range covering most of the south eastern United States (Roise et al, 1990). Habitat fragmentation has led to the loss of genetic variability, nesting sites, and suitable population sizes to support co ncerted breeding requirements. These factors have been responsible for the precipitous decline of the red-cockaded woodpecker. Because the red-cockaded woodpecker provides main(prenominal) ecological and economic benefits to both humans and the environment, we should strongly consider enacting a conservation plan for this species.The red-cockaded woodpecker, an inhabitant of mature pine forests and pine-grassland ecosystems from Maryland to eastern Texas, has had a troubled history within the last decade (Roise et al, 1990). hug drug years ago, James documented a population decline in Americas largest remaining red-cockaded woodpecker population (1991). Of the 2,157 clusters, or bread and butter groups, contained in national forests, 693 of them were located in Florid... ...ed, J. M., Walters, J. R., Emigh, T. E., and Seaman, D. E. 1993. Effective population size in Red-cockaded Woodpeckers population and model differences. Conservation Biology. 7(2)302-308.Roise, J., Chung, J., Lancia, R., and Lennartz, M. 1990. Red-cockaded Woodpecker habitat and timbre management production possibilities. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry. 14(1)6-12.Stangel, P. W., Lennartz, M. R., and Smith, M. H. 1992. Genetic diversity and population structure of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Conservation Biology. 6(2)283-292.US Geological Survey. April 2000. Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. http//www.npwrc.usgs.gov/ resource/1998/forest/species/picobore.htmWilson, C. W., Masters, R. E., and Bukenhofer, G. A. 1995. Breeding bird response to pine-grassland community restoration for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Journal of Wildlife Management. 59(1)56-67.