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THE COUNTY’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
PLANNING ISSUE
PLANNING ISSUE
Wildlife habitat can be easily
destroyed or fragmented
without proper protection.
What’s New
•
In the past 10 years the county has become home
to new plants and animals. Beavers have become
more prevalent in the northwestern portions of the
county. Coyotes and bears have migrated into the
county. Invasive aquatic species such as Asian
clams and zebra mussels are found in many local
waterways.
•
Deer populations have exploded in the county due to
available food sources and lack of natural predators.
In the past few decades, they have browsed on local
vegetation to the point where woodland regeneration
and diversity is limited in most of the county. Deer
management programs have been initiated by many
property owners to control deer populations.
•
Canada Geese also have thrived in the county due to
warmer weather and available food sources. Large
goose populations in some areas have impaired local
waterways and ruined recreation sites. The
Montgomery County Parks, Trails and Heritage
Services Division and local parks departments have
initiated various geese deterrent strategies, including
controlled hunts, decoys, fencing, natural vegetation
barriers, and harassment.
Geology
Climate
Hydrology
Floodplains
Air Quality
Steep Slopes
Soils
Wetlands
Woodlands
Wildlife
Natural Areas Inventory
Wildlife
Wildlife offers people of all ages a chance for nature study.
Observing an animal in its natural habitat can be a lifelong
lesson for a young student. Birding areas, such as the
Audubon-designated Important Birding Area at Green
Lane Reservoir, attracts people into the county.
Each year nearly 80,000 Montgomery County residents
acquire fishing and hunting licenses. These sportsmen
provide local economic benefits. For many hunters and
anglers, animals provide a food source.
Insect control is a critical function provided by many birds.
Animals are also essential in the pollination and
germination of many agriculture crops. Predators can
eliminate rodents and other farm pests. Animals also play
a role in seed dispersal, soil generation, nutrient cycling,
and organic waste breakdown
In medicine, the development of new drugs and treatments
can be dependent on wildlife and wildlife habitat.
Interestingly, most pharmaceutical products are made as a
result of animal interaction. Today, most medicinal
remedies contain at least one ingredient derived from a
wild plant or animal.
Wildlife has four needs: food, cover, water, and space in
which to live and reproduce. These four components are
collectively termed "habitat." To survive, wildlife must
have access to the various types of habitat it requires.
Development and associated roads and utility lines tend to
fragment habitat, often separating nesting sites from food or
water sources. An open space system that provides links
between woodlands, meadows, and streams will encourage
greater diversity of wildlife species by providing various
contiguous habitats. A park or wooded open space area
consisting of mature deciduous trees with a ground cover of
closely cropped grass provides little value for wildlife.
Wildlife would thrive when land is managed to encourage a
mix of deciduous and evergreen species of differing ages
and multiple layers of vegetation, along with infrequently
mowed grass areas.
Wildlife found in the county is typical of species in similar
parts of Pennsylvania. Yet the county contains several
Beavers in the northwestern part of the county have made their
presence known.
