wildlife

Northern New Hampshire, January 2016.  I was doubtful that I was going to find lynx tracks.  As a Master’s student, I had spent most weekends doing field work in northern New Hampshire and never found lynx tracks.  However, that was three years ago and I have since learned that distribution patterns can change considerably within that timeframe.

Every 10 years, State natural resource agencies review the health (or decline) of their fish, wildlife, and associated habitats. They take a proactive approach, thinking carefully about the priorities, challenges, and actions they would like to accomplish during the coming decade.

Wildlife habitats and wildlife migration are big issues when it comes to effects of climate change. While the planet continues to warm - 2014 was the warmest year on record according to NOAA – warm seasons become longer and cold seasons become shorter in many parts of the US. This allows some species to expand their geographic ranges while other species may experience unsuitable climatic conditions or have to cope with new predators and competitors for food.