Wildlife in a park benefits from a well-organized and thoughtful habitat plan. To understand what constitutes animal habitats, it is essential to be informed of the different species requirements regarding where they refuge. Habitat, in this case, refers to an area where a species spends its life. Thus, a habitat for animals is made of four essential requirements to enable the animals to survive, including shelter, water, food, and sufficient space. The characteristics of each component vary from one animal species to another and from one season to another. The extensive and diverse geographical area such as park is, the more species of animals it can sustain. This article outlines some of the habitat components that support animal existence.
In most cases, water is overlooked as well as underestimated amongst the components of animal habitat, especially when landscaping for wildlife. It should be noted that water is essential for bathing and drinking by all animals at all times of the year.
The supplies of food considering species preferences changes from one animal to another and from time to time, leading to the various life patterns observed with many animals. Food can be provided to animals by planting certain known native and preferred plant species that produce either seeds, fruits, or both, thus developing feed points and attracting other food supplies like insects for a wide variety of animals into the ecology centre.
The shelter serves as a protection to the animals from adverse weather conditions, safe resting places, and hiding areas, and ample places for the animals to rear their young ones. This is a basic need for all types of animals. Even though it might not be easy for all the shelter requirements to be provided, especially when space is limited in a park, improvements can be made to ensure shelter availability for all wildlife. With enough space, a well-thought backyard habitat is supposed to include most of the important vegetative and physical components such as conifers, grasses and wildflowers. Other plants will provide food and water and brush piles that give some animals the needed safety.
Animals require space as a basic need to offer them forage, cover, refuge to protect their young ones, and access a diversity of habitat conditions that are favourable at all times of the year. All the other components of a good habitat can be available but have limited space, meaning the number of animals will also be limited due to competition over resources.