Public and Federal Lands

I. Regulation of Federal Lands A.No nation has set aside as much of its land for public use, resource extraction, enjoyment, and wildlife habitat as the US. B.The federal government manages roughly 35% of the country’s land, which belongs to all of us! C.About 75% of this land is in Alaska, and another 20% is in the western states.

D. As a percentage of land in the state, Nevada has the highest percentage of land publicly owned.

E. U.S. Public Lands are managed, in order of restrictions to use: 1.Natural Resources Land (BLM) 2.National Forest/Grasslands Land (USFS) 3.Wildlife Refuges (US FWS) 4.National Parks (NPS) 5.National Wilderness System

II. Bureau of Land Management A. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages National Resource Lands. These lands are used primarily for mining, oil and gas extraction, hunting, and livestock grazing. B. The purpose of BLM lands is to equitably use and develop our nation’s National Resources

C. BLM Nation’s single largest landowner: 106 million ha (261 million acres) across 12 western states 1. Ranchers can graze cattle on BLM lands for low fees 2. Low fees encourage overgrazing 3. Ranchers and environmentalists have teamed up to prevent development and sprawl on BLM lands

BLM Land

II. Bureau of Land Management D. BLM managed land has a multiple-use, sustained yield mandate. Meaning it is devoted explicitly to commercial use such as mineral development and grazing, and this use should be sustainable (grazing) as much as possible. E. The money from federal lands use is put in the U.S. treasury, for the use and benefit of all U.S. Citizens.

III. Forests A. U.S. Forest Service - Manages 122 National Forests and 22 National grasslands. B. USFS lands can be used for logging, mining, livestock grazing, oil and gas extraction, recreation, hunting, and conservation of watershed and wildlife resources.

I. Regulation of Federal Lands C. Mission of National Forest System: – To grow trees, produce timber, protect watersheds, and ensure future timber supplies – Resulted from depletion of U.S. forests and fear of a “timber famine” – 77 million ha (191 million acres); 8% of the U.S. land area D. The U.S. Forest Service was established in 1905 Manage forests for the greatest good of the greatest number in the long run, including logging

I. Regulation of Federal Lands Four National Forests in Texas – All in East Texas, one National Grassland

U.S. National Grasslands

E. Issues facing the forest service include determining the appropriate level of timber harvest and fire safety. There have been severe fire seasons the last several years, and there has been intense debate about undergrowth and fuel load removal (Fire policy was total suppression from 1916 to 1968).

F. Fire policy in National Lands 1. For over 100 years, the Forest Service suppressed all fires – But many ecosystems depend on fires (many pines need fire to open cones to release seeds) 2. Fire suppression allows woody accumulation, which produces kindling for future fires This increases the fuel load, which causes future fires to burn hotter and be more destructive. Instead of low- grade fires that would singe tree bark and clear brush but allow trees to live, now fires kill everything, including large trees that are resistant to “lower temperature” fires.

G. Prescribed (controlled) burns = burning areas of forests under carefully controlled conditions – Effective at removing brush, restoring nutrients to the soil – May get out of control – Impeded by public misunderstanding and political interference

H. Ecological value of forests 1. One of the richest ecosystems for biodiversity – Structural complexity houses great biodiversity 2. A forest provides many ecosystem services – Stabilizes soil and prevents erosion – Slows runoff, increases aquifer infiltration, lessens flooding, purifies water – Stores carbon, releases oxygen, moderates climate

I. Economic value of forests 1.Benefits: raw material for fuel, shelter (building), paper 2. Major Logging Locations: – Boreal Forests: Canada, Russia – Rainforests: Brazil, Indonesia – Conifer Forests/Pine Plantations: U.S. Approximately 1/3 all forests worldwide are designated for timber production

J. Demand for wood and economic growth leads to deforestation 1. Deforestation = the clearing and loss of forests – Alters landscapes and ecosystems – Degrades soil/increases erosion – Causes species decline and extinction – Ruins indigenous civilizations – Adds carbon dioxide to the air Developing countries boost their economies and get land for their growing populations by logging forests

K. Deforestation is proceeding rapidly worldwide 1. Uncut tropical forests still remain in many developing countries – Deforestation is rapid in places such as Brazil and Indonesia 2. Developing countries are so desperate for economic development, they have few logging restrictions – Short-term economic benefits go to foreign multinational corporations – Governments often help companies, at the expense of native people

L. Harvesting timber: clear-cutting – All trees in the area are cut – Most cost-efficient – Greatest impact on forest ecosystems – Soil erosion – Water pollution – Destroy entire ecosystems

M. Harvesting: Selective cutting 1. Majority of forest left standing, only select trees are cut – Single tree selection = widely spaced trees are cut – Group tree selection = small patches of trees are cut 2. Less destructive than clear cutting, but still disruptive to the forest ecosystem

N. Plantation forestry 1. Timber plantations are private areas of land owned by lumber companies that are planted with the same type of tree, with the goal of harvesting timber, not establishing a functional forest. – Fast-growing species – Monocultures – Even-aged trees = all trees are the same age 2. Trees are cut at the end of the rotation time and replanted – Plantations are crops, not functional forests

IV. National Wildlife Refuges A. National Wildlife Refuges – Administered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife service. B. Most Refuges protect habitats and breeding areas of waterfowl and big game to provide a harvestable supply to permitted hunters, or protect endangered species or habitat. C. National Wildlife Refuges don’t allow camping, and there are only a few that allow oil and gas development, or mining.

black capped vireoblack capped vireo

Endangered Golden – Cheeked Warbler

D. Issues in managing National Wildlife Refuges include motorboat debates and the access of oil extraction in wildlife reserves.

E. Case Study of Issues in Wildlife Refuge Use: ANWR 1. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is called "America's Serengeti" for its tremendous biological productivity and diversity, the coastal plain of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most intact and untouched ecosystems in America.

2. The refuge is home to 42 mammal species, including more than 120,000 head of caribou; 36 species of fish, and over 160 species of birds. Many of these birds migrate to and from all fifty states and from six continents to feed and reproduce.

3. There has been much debate about opening ANWR up for oil drilling, and the general purpose of wildlife refuges (do we or don’t we allow resource extraction? What are the rules?) 4. USFWS is proposing wilderness designation for most of ANWR, which would not allow for energy extraction

V. National Parks A. National parks = public lands protected from resource extraction and development. Set aside specifically to protect “scenic beauty” and provide recreation, then ecosystem management and preservation of wildlife became major focus in the 60’s. B. 58 major National Parks, 331 other sites, including national historic sites, national recreation areas, national wild and scenic rivers

C. The first National Park to be established was Yellowstone in Congress authorized to establish National Parks, the President can establish national monuments on their own.

V. National Parks D. Only camping, hiking and other recreation, sport fishing, and boating can take place in National Parks. E. In general, National Parks and Monuments consider preservation their priority, and don’t permit activities that harm or remove resources.

F. Issues the National Park service is dealing with are appropriate levels of funding for maintaining National Parks, and a debate about the role and place of motorized vehicles in National Parks (conservation vs. access). 1.Snowmobiles in Yellowstone/Teton – prohibited 2.Helicopter Air tours – Grand Canyon 3.Traffic Jams – Yosemite and Zion shuttle system

The National Park Service was established in August, 1916 – this is the centennial year for the NPS! All national parks have special events this year – Find Your Park!

Major US National Parks

VI. National Wilderness Areas A. The most restricted public lands are part of the National Wilderness System. These are part of other federal lands – they just have an additional wilderness designation. B. Only non-motorized recreational activities are allowed, and no roads are built.

VI. National Wilderness Areas C. The U.S. Wilderness act of 1964 recognized wilderness (an area undisturbed by people) as something to be preserved as part of a nation’s natural capital.

Dark Purple = Federal Wilderness Areas

VII. Wildlife Management A. We have used the maximum sustainable yield model to manage fisheries, endangered species, and game animals.

B. Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) is defined as the population size that yield maximum production, and allow the population to be sustained indefinitely. C. MSY population size is half of a population’s carrying capacity in the environment.

D. If the population is estimated correctly, species levels will stabilize. This is called optimum or maximum sustainable population. E. If the population is estimated incorrectly (overestimated) then the population crashes. F. We now use minimum viable population to manage endangered species – the estimated smallest population that can maintain itself and genetic variability.

MSY Graph Carrying Capacity Population estimated incorrectly, population crashes Population estimated correctly, population stable MSY

G. Habitat fragmentation threatens species 1. Contiguous habitat is chopped into small pieces

H. Corridors = protected land that allows animals to travel between islands of protected habitat 1. Animals get more resources 2. Enables gene flow between populations

The SLOSS dilemma I. Which is better to protect species? 1. A Single Large Or Several Small reserves? 2. Depends on the species: tigers vs. birds

J. Biosphere reserves have several zones Allows protection for animals and indigenous population livelihood. This can be a win-win situation for wildlife and local populations.