Purpose:

You will learn about these aspects of carrying capacity, including:

• What amount of space is needed to maintain a healthy animal population?
• Should predators be introduced into wilderness areas in which they have become extinct and what are possible public responses to such proposals?
• How are animal populations managed on our public lands?

Directions/Activities:

1) Complete "Activity 1: Do You Have Enough Space for Those Animals?"

2) Read the provided article, "The Coming Wolf". Complete "Activity 2" in which you will select an interest group for role-playing. Your teacher will allow you some time for preparation after which you will have the opportunity to explain your arguments to your class.

3) Complete "Activity 3", a simulation/activity which will help you understand carrying capacity principals for wilderness ecosystems.

Vocabulary:

Predator, Carnivore, Ecosystem, Home Range, Territory, Carrying Capacity

List of On-line Materials:

WildLink Site

Career Explorations:

Wildlife Biologist, Mammalogist, Ecologist

Evaluation:

Working in teams of 2-3 and using information gained from the three activities as well as information form the California Wilderness Map, your goal is to determine whether it is actually practical to expect that a program of Grizzly Bear reintroduction in California could be a success. After planning time, you will report back to your class with the following information:

a) Is the reintroduction of Grizzly Bears to California Wilderness a practical , workable idea?

b) Suggest 2 or 3 possible wilderness sites that could provide adequate carrying capacity for Grizzly Bears. Recommend one of them to the class as your favored location.

c) What are some possible problems/complications that this plan might create?