The Utah Wildlife Action Plan is a project organized by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, their goal is to focus on animal species whose population is declining, this means acting to preserve habitats and reduce threats to the species. Their entire action plan for the years 2015 to 2025 can be found at https://wildlife.utah.gov/learn-more/wap2015.html. This project expands to the entire state of Utah, which is roughly 85,000 square miles. Out of the entire United States, Utah is the 10th highest state in biodiversity, and 5th in endemism (DWR, 2016). Therefore, natural habitats need to remain intact, but there are a handful of problems arising that prevent the ecosystem from reaching its full potential. This organization’s mission is to preserve and improve the area and protect the native species. …show more content…
Interestingly, the fire problem stems from both unintended fires and fire suppression. Ultimately, there are too many fires in lower altitude areas, and none in the areas that need it. Non-native grass species are present in areas on top of continuous beds of fine fuels, which burn at a temperature so hot it sterilizes the soil (DWR, 2016). Therefore, the ecosystem is not restored and all the different species suffer. The other problem is not enough fire in the higher elevated areas, most of the fires are suppressed as government agencies require it. Many plant species actually benefit from a periodic wildfire, since they clear the ground for new generations to grow and get rid of disease (Cal Fire,