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Throughout Central Florida many species that were once prevalent are now in jeopardy. As a result of our management approach many of these species have thrived and increased on the Ranch.
One of the keys to enhancing the survival of these species is to understand that there are critical times in the annual cycle of all species. For example, the critical season for wading birds, such as Wood Storks, herons, and egrets, is nesting time. These beautiful birds must have protected nesting sites to avoid predation by raccoons and other predators. Protected sites entail undisturbed nesting treed areas which are surrounded by water with alligators. The wading birds must also have feeding areas near the nesting area during the nesting season. Understanding and filling this critical need enhances the potential of these beautiful jeopardized birds to thrive. Similar critical needs occur at some time in the annual cycle for all species and we try to understand and meet these needs with our Deseret projects.
- Deseret seeks to ensure long-term survival of wildlife
- Understands and accommodates annual cycles of species
- Allows diverse ecosystems to work in concert
- Implements Aldo Leopold’s “edge effect”
Another important ecological principle to understand is that most important and in-jeopardy species do not rely on only one ecosystem type for existence. Rather, they need different ecosystems to meet different needs, such as nesting, feeding and concealment. The different ecosystems need to be in close proximity so that these species can easily use them. We seek to follow Aldo Leopold’s concept of creating, preserving, and enhancing the amount of edge between ecosystems. Such an environmental management strategy both aids in-jeopardy species and maintains sustainable agricultural operations. This so-called “edge effect” greatly enhances the environment for many important species.
We feel this management approach of emphasizing edge is critical to the long-term survival of many jeopardized species. A wading bird does not just need wading areas. Deer do not just need grazing areas. Their needs are enhanced by the interface of different ecosystems provided by edge. Thus, in the management and establishment of pastures, Deseret typically preserves sufficient buffer areas around wetlands to ensure that the wetlands are functional and fulfill wildlife needs. Deseret also typically maintains areas of forest within or adjacent to our pastures to create edge and cover, and thus benefit many species of wildlife. When at all possible, we avoid continuous tracts of monoculture habitat of any type, but rather seek interspersion and edge enhanced areas, creating a rich environmental and agricultural mosaic. This strategy best assures the long-term survival of many species.
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