Multiple choice Free response questions
50 questions# correct x 0.9 =
2 questionsQuestion 1 _____ x 1.5 = Question 2 _____ x 1.5 = Total FRQ + MC =
40/75= 55%
Overview of Chapter 17Land Use
World land useUS land use
Wilderness Park and Wildlife RefugesNational ParksWildlife Refuge
ForestsForest management Deforestation
Rangeland and Agricultural LandWetlands and Coastal AreasConservation of Land Resources
Land Use- Worldwide
Most is low density (nonurban/rural)Benefits of land not impacted by humans:
Many ecological servicesEducational – science and historyRecreational – hiking, swimming, hunting,
fishingAesthetic/spiritual – escape civilized world
Key players: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir (major player in establishing 2nd national park and founder of Sierra Club)
Land Use- Worldwide
Land Use- United States
Land Use- United States55% of US land is privately ownedRemainder of land is owned by government
Most federally owned land is in Alaska and 11 western states
Wilderness
WildernessA protected area of land in which no human
development is permittedSome areas have a limited number of permitted human
guests to reduce impactOther problems include invasive species
Wilderness Act (1964)Set aside federally owned land as part of National
Wilderness Preservation SystemNo development permitted (including roads)
National Park SystemCreated in 1916Managed by National
Park ServicePreserved land
1st: Yellowstone (1872)No taking of resources
(timber)
Yosemite National ParkYosemite National Park
National Park SystemTheodore Roosevelt – Antiquities ActThreats to U.S. Parks –
tourism! (good and bad) - $, but overcrowdedCrime & VandalismTraffic jamsPollution of the soil, water and air
Originating both inside and outside the parkNatural Regulation
Policy to let nature take it courseNo culling wildlifeNo suppressing wildfire
Wildlife RefugesNational Wildlife Refuge System (1903)Managed by US Fish and Wildlife Service1st wildlife refuge was created by Theodore
Roosevelt – Pelican Island, FloridaMission
To preserve lands and waters for the conservation of fishes, wildlife and plants of the US
Recreation (including hunting and fishing) are permitted
Forest ManagementTraditional Forest
ManagementManaged by US Forestry
ServiceLow diversity- monocultures
(right); many pests/diseases sprays
Managed for timber production
Ecological Sustainable Forest ManagementDiverse trees Prevent soil erosionPreserve watershedsWildlife corridors- unlogged
Harvesting Trees
Harvesting Trees - Clearcutting
Forestsecosystem services:
Influence climate: precipitation and shade
Store carbon to help prevent global warming
Release oxygenReduce erosionProtect watersheds:
Control floodsImprove water qualityHabitats for many
Benefits for human:Wood for fuel, building materials and paperFruits, nuts, medicinesEmploymentRecreation
Forests
DeforestationTemporary or permanent clearance of large
expanses of forest for agriculture or other useMost serious problem for forestsCauses
FireExpansion of agricultureConstruction of roadsTree harvestInsect and disease
DeforestationResults
Decreased soil fertilityUncontrolled soil erosionsilt build up behind damsIncreased sedimentation of waterways – harm
fish downstreamFormation of desertsExtinction of speciesGlobal climate changes
Old-growth forests
forests never loggedOld, mixed-aged treesLots of biodiversityDead tress important
habitatsMany indicator
species: including lichens
May take LOOOOONG time to re-grow
Forest firesBAD GOOD
Release stored carbon dioxide
Kills animalsThreatens homesIncrease soil erosion
Surface fires:Clear ground litterRelease minerals to soilStimulates germination
for some cone-bearing plants
Kill pathogens/insects
Forest Trends in USMost temperate forests are
steady or expanding from secondary succession on abandoned farms, tree plantations, and gov. protection.
Returning stands lack biodiversity of original forests; still threatened by population
More than half of US forests are privately owned (right)Conservation easement
US National ForestsManaged for multiple uses
Timber harvestLivestock forageWater resource and watershed protectionMining, hunting, fishing, etc.
Road building is an issueProvides logging companies with access to
forestClearcutting is an issue
Case-In-Point Tongass National ForestTongass National ForestOne of world’s few
temperate rainforests
Old-growth forest Prime logging areaRoadless Area
Conservation Rule (2000) – protects 1/3 of national forests from road construction and logging
Trends in Tropical ForestsTropical rainforests (below) and tropical dry
forests
Disappearing Tropical Rain ForestsGreatest in AsiaPopulation growthImmediate causes
Subsistence agriculture Slash and burn
Commercial logging Cattle ranching
Other causesMining
Disappearing Tropical Dry ForestsPrimarily destroyed for fuelwood
Used for heating and cooking by most developing countries. Wood used to make charcoal (not efficient)
Boreal ForestsWorld’s largest biome (Alaska, Canada, N.
Russia)Extensive clearcutting
Primary source of world’s industrial wood and wood fiber
Rangeland (grassland)Public rangeland managed by BLM (Bureau of Land
Management)Land that is not intensively managed and is used for grazing
livestock
Rangeland Degradation
Overgrazing (grazed before roots recover) leaves ground barrenAnimals exceed their carrying capacity
Increase erosion Cattle waste increase eutrophication and spreads disease Graze on riparian areas
Solution: limit permit #; charge market value to grazeDesertification
1. animals graze all plant life2. rain washes soil away3. wells, springs dry up because nothing holding water4. left vegetation dies from drought or removed for firewood5. wind blows away topsoil
Rangeland Trends in USMake up 30% of total US land areaPressure from developers to subdividePublic rangeland managed by BLM:
Taylor Grazing Act (1934) – requires grazing permits on federal land
Public Rangelands Improvement Act (1978) – established a commitment to improve rangelands to be as productive as possible
Conditions of public rangeland are slowly improvingGrazing fees is an issue
WetlandsLands covered with water at times during the yearHigh plant productivity!! (hold carbon!)Converting land to agriculture is greatest threat.Restoration of Everglades – famous exampleBenefits
Habitat for migratory waterfowl and wildlife (many endangered species) – reminder: Endangered Species Act
Recharge groundwaterReduce damage from floodingImprove water quality (trap nitrogen/phosphates,
pesticides)Stabilize shorelines, reduce damage from stormsRecreation – photography, fishing
WetlandsHuman activity that threatens wetlands
Drainage for agriculture Drainage for urbanizationmosquito controlDredging for navigationConstruction of damsFilling in for solid waste disposalRoad buildingMining
Conservation and Land Resources
Urban land development½ SO2, ¼ NO, 1/3 CO2 emissionsGreen buildings/city design:
Rebates/tax incentives for solar energyXeriscaping for water conservationUse recycled materialsBuild near public transportationPedestrian friendly – close shopping, parksMonitor indoor air quality
Suburban sprawl and urbanization
Most people live in citiesLatin America most urbanized of developing areas; Asia and
Africa growing quicklyReasons: access to jobs, better standard of living, access to
health care, industrialized agriculture, access to educationCity living:
Pros: less land used, less fossil fuels b/c commuting distances are shorter, better sanitation, more efficient recycling
Cons: urban heat islands urban heat islands (mitigate w/ green roofs), ozone levels, more pronounced pollution due to overwhelmed systems, landfill space, overcrowded schools, not enough jobs for all slums, more crime
Rooftop Farming
TransportationFederal Highway system reduces env. impact:
Less pollutants (carbon monoxide, NO)Reduce greenhouse gasesImprove fuel economy and reduce dependence
of foreign oil
Canals and Channels (straits)Requires dredging
Panama Canal – prevent going around s. america Suez Canal – prevent going around Africa
GOWANUS CANAL SLUDGE WHEN IT RAINS
Land conservation termsPreservation: Never harmed. Ex. National ParksRestoration: Return to original state. Ex:
EvergladesRemediation: removal of a pollutant, typically for
health reasons, environmental reasons, or to redevelop a unused industrial site (brownfield). Ex: phytoremdiation for soil salinization
Mitigation: projects that offset known environmental issues. Ex: stop deer from crossing road, purchase other land
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