Part 3 Land and Water Use

RANGELANDS

Uncultivated land dominated by native plants: grasses, grass-like plants, or shrubs. All land that is not farmland, dense forest, barren desert or land covered by solid rock, concrete, or glaciers What is Rangeland?

How much rangeland is there? 47% of the EARTH is rangeland 36% of the US is rangeland 53% of Western States is rangeland

Overgrazing Desertification Issues Facing Rangelands

When grazed severely, use energy stored in roots for regrowth Roots die back –Severity depends on grazing Grazed again before roots recover How Overgrazing Kills Plants

Adds organic matter Increased soil porosity Increased infiltration Increased moisture holding capacity Positive Effect of Root Dieback

Consequences of Overgrazing

Overgrazing Soil erosion Prolonged drought or climate change Overuse of available resources Causes of Desertification

“Public Land” is owned and managed by federal and state governments –Bureau of Land Management (BLM) –U.S. Forest Service Who owns rangeland?

The careful use and management of rangeland resources (plants, animals, soil, and water) to meet the needs and desires of society What is rangeland management?

Controlling the number and distribution of livestock Restoring degraded rangeland Moving livestock to allow recovery Reduce damage to sensitive areas (riparian zones) –Boundary zone between land and stream Rangeland Management Goals

Suppress growth of invasive species Reduce soil erosion –Replant native grasses Provide supplemental feed Locating water holes, water tanks, salt blocks in areas where will not affect environment. Rangeland Management Goals

MINING

Overview StepsDescriptionEnvironmental Effects MiningRemoving mineral resources from the ground Mine wastes – acids and toxins Displacement of native species Reclamation of land and recycling ProcessingRemoving ore from mined material Pollution Human health concerns UseDistribution to end user

Will Site be Profitable?

Site development Extraction

Surface Mining –Pros: –Cons Extraction

Underground Mining –Pros –Cons Extraction

In-situ Leaching –Pros –Cons Extraction

Intensive chemical processing Often uses extreme heat and toxic chemicals Chemical frequently leak into ground water Processing

2 billion tons of minerals extracted in US every year Oil Coal Natural Gas Global Reserves

General Mining Law 1872 –Free access to prospect for minerals on federal lands Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act 1977 –Regulates surface coal mining and reclamation activities Relevant Laws