8095

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8095
• Author: National Research Council.
• Title: Impacts of Emerging Agricultural Trends on Fish and Wildlife Habitat.
• USFW Year: 1982.
• USFW - Doc Type: Washington, D.C.
• Copyright Material: NO

and wildlife habitat and identified research needs. These trends and
impacts were examined in the broad sense for most species.
This report emphasizes game mammals, birds, and fish because of a
need to focus and limit the scope of the study. The committee
recognizes, of course, that natural habitats contain many other types
of mammals, birds, and fish, as well as insects, earthworms, fungi,
and bacteria. Mammals, birds, and fish high in the trophic levels of
natural ecosystems often feed on plants, insects, and microorganisms
low in the system. These lower organisms are vital to the survival of
the ecosystem, fulfilling such necessary functions as decomposing
organic wastes and recycling the essential elements such as carbon,
nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and calcium. LOSS of any of these vital
groups of natural biota will damage habitat quality and may cause the
loss of game mammals, birds, and fish that directly and indirectly
depend upon these other biota.
Endangered species are not included in this analysis because the
study of such species is a highly complex problem, often involving
consideration of many regional and other limitations, and is thus
outside the scope of this study.
This report is submitted in compliance with the terms of the
agreement with the sponsoring agencies. It reflects the collective
judgment of approximately 150 agricultural and wildlife scientists
from many different disciplines and geographic locations throughout
the united states. The Committee also reviewed an extensive
literature during its investigation; but because many projections were
required, the literature often served only as a base for informed
conjecture.
The Committee appreciates the assistance of the BARR staff who
contributed so generously to this effort. They include Selma P.
Baron, Michael E. Berger, Sheridan E. Caldwell, Philip ROss, Asha G.
Rugimbana, Mary L. Sutton, Lawrence C. Wallace, and Michael D.
zagata. Consultants to the Chairmen were Sandra O. Archibald, Ronald
W. Hardy, and Frances P. Solomon; they completed many details in the
development of this study, and we appreciate their dedication and
professional competence.

Chester O. McCorkle, Jr.
Co-chairman, phase I
Agricultural Trends

John E. Halver
Co-chairman, Phase II
Impacts on Fish and
Wildlife Habitat

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