Red-winged blackbird | What is a species? The word “species” describes animals that have a set of attributes in common that make them like each other but unlike others. For example, there are many different kinds of birds, but there is only one species of red-winged blackbird. |
Any group of living and nonliving things interacting with each other is considered an ecosystem. Ecosystems can be as small as a puddle, or as large as the entire earth. In an ecosystem, water, plants, animals, air, light, and soil all work together to support living things. Usually, plants and animals in a particular ecosystem are all dependent on one another. For example, if the plants in an ecosystem die, the animals that eat them will die, then the animals that eat the plant-eating animals will die, and so on. All the parts work together to make a balanced system.
One of Idaho's ecosystems is called a sagebrush steppe ecosystem. The sun makes sagebrush grow. Birds such as sage grouse eat the sagebrush and the bugs that live on it, and they also use it for their nests and breeding grounds. Rabbits, deer, antelope and elk also use the sagebrush for food and shelter. Predators like mountain lions or coyotes eat rabbits, deer, and antelope. Sagebrush also helps keep valuable soil on the ground, so that other grasses and shrubs may grow.
If, for some reason, the sun were to stop shining, sagebrush and other plants would die, then sage grouse, rabbits, elk, antelope and other animals that depend on the plants for food and cover. After that, predators such as mountain lions and coyotes would die because there would be nothing to eat.
Sagebrush steppe
What is a habitat?
Within an ecosystem, there are habitats that vary in size. A habitat is the place where populations of animals live. A population is a group of living organisms of the same kind, living in the same place at the same time. All of the populations interact and depend on each other, forming a community. The habitat must supply the needs of the animals in the community so they can survive and reproduce, therefore habitats must include things like food, water, shelter, proper temperature, oxygen, and minerals. If the populations of animals cannot meet their needs in a particular habitat, they may die or move to a better one.
The BLM works to protect wildlife habitats while maintaining the land for multiple public uses. BLM wildlife biologists, hydrologists, botanists, ecologists work to conserve habitats for animals and to protect endangered plant and animal species.
Click here to see how BLM employees help Idaho’s wildlife and public lands. 
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