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United States Department of Agriculture 
Bureau of Biological Survey 
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Wildlife Research and Management Leeflet PS-108 
HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF AMERICAN aLpLire L/ 
By Ba) P. Sheldon, Chief, Division of Public Relations 
Contents 
Page : Page 
Original wealth in wildlife. . 1) + Early traffic in wildlife and 
Abundance unimpaired by In- : Tts procuctss «.. i + =< = = = ee 
etnies © 6 te 6 UU en eee, era closing .... 6 
Exploitation by white settlers 3 : Wildlife management the remedy . 7 
Influence of wildlife on colio- eA dend=use problem . «<<. & = ap 2 
nization and settlement .. 4 3 
Original Wealth in Wildlife 
Previous to the coming of the white settler 
sessed an abundance and variety of wildlife not surpa aece by: any ot he 
continent. There were reasons for this: Wildlife, like vegetation, is 
modified as its habitat changes and it varies in form and abundance accord- 
ing to climate, soil fertility, and altitude. North America, with its crest 
in the icy arctic and its base in the warm subtropical region of the Gul 
of Mexico; with its Rocky Mountains in the West and its Alleghenic t 
Hast; with its arid deserts, fertile plains, and well-waterec valleys lying 
between, has within its boundaries almost every possible variation t 
ature, precipitation, soil fertility, and vegetative cover. Alt 
from ridges that are thousands of feet above sea level to depths of the 
Death Valiey that are actually below sea level. Between the intense sudzero 
temperatures of the arctic wastes and the moist, tropical climate of t 
Isthmus of Panama are recorded infinite gradations of climate an 
This diversity results in amazirg differences in the tynes of bo 
fauna and flora, The tiny lichen clinging to a glacier-scored rock pro- 
truding above the arctic ice can requires half a century for a few inches of 
i/ Author's note: Prepared especially for use in schools, this will 
be followed by other cho pters dealing with other phases of wildlife cons 
vation and restoration. 
saceell, ibs 
