Multiple choice Free response questions 50 questions # correct x 0.9 = 2 questions Question 1 _____ x 1.5 = Question 2 _____ x 1.5 = Total FRQ + MC = 40/75 = 55%

Overview of Chapter 17 Land Use World land use US land use Wilderness Park and Wildlife Refuges National Parks Wildlife Refuge Forests Forest management Deforestation Rangeland and Agricultural Land Wetlands and Coastal Areas Conservation of Land Resources

Land Use- Worldwide

Most is low density (nonurban/rural) Benefits of land not impacted by humans: Many ecological services Educational – science and history Recreational – hiking, swimming, hunting, fishing Aesthetic/spiritual – escape civilized world Key players: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir (major player in establishing 2 nd national park and founder of Sierra Club) Land Use- Worldwide

Land Use- United States

55% of US land is privately owned Remainder of land is owned by government Most federally owned land is in Alaska and 11 western states

Wilderness A protected area of land in which no human development is permitted Some areas have a limited number of permitted human guests to reduce impact Other problems include invasive species Wilderness Act (1964) Set aside federally owned land as part of National Wilderness Preservation System No development permitted (including roads)

National Park System Created in 1916 Managed by National Park Service Preserved land 1 st : Yellowstone (1872) No taking of resources (timber) Yosemite National Park

National Park System Theodore Roosevelt – Antiquities Act Threats to U.S. Parks – tourism! (good and bad) - $, but overcrowded Crime & Vandalism Traffic jams Pollution of the soil, water and air Originating both inside and outside the park Natural Regulation Policy to let nature take it course No culling wildlife No suppressing wildfire

Wildlife Refuges National Wildlife Refuge System (1903) Managed by US Fish and Wildlife Service 1 st wildlife refuge was created by Theodore Roosevelt – Pelican Island, Florida Mission To preserve lands and waters for the conservation of fishes, wildlife and plants of the US Recreation (including hunting and fishing) are permitted

Forest Management Traditional Forest Management Managed by US Forestry Service Low diversity- monocultures (right); many pests/diseases  sprays Managed for timber production Ecological Sustainable Forest Management Diverse trees Prevent soil erosion Preserve watersheds Wildlife corridors- unlogged

Harvesting Trees

Harvesting Trees - Clearcutting

Forests ecosystem services: Influence climate: precipitation and shade Store carbon to help prevent global warming Release oxygen Reduce erosion Protect watersheds: Control floods Improve water quality Habitats for many

Benefits for human: Wood for fuel, building materials and paper Fruits, nuts, medicines Employment Recreation Forests

Deforestation Temporary or permanent clearance of large expanses of forest for agriculture or other use Most serious problem for forests Causes Fire Expansion of agriculture Construction of roads Tree harvest Insect and disease

Deforestation Results Decreased soil fertility Uncontrolled soil erosion silt build up behind dams Increased sedimentation of waterways – harm fish downstream Formation of deserts Extinction of species Global climate changes

Old-growth forests forests never logged Old, mixed-aged trees Lots of biodiversity Dead tress important habitats Many indicator species: including lichens May take LOOOOONG time to re-grow

Forest fires BAD GOOD Release stored carbon dioxide Kills animals Threatens homes Increase soil erosion Surface fires: Clear ground litter Release minerals to soil Stimulates germination for some cone-bearing plants Kill pathogens/insects

Forest Trends in US Most 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 Forests Managed for multiple uses Timber harvest Livestock forage Water resource and watershed protection Mining, hunting, fishing, etc. Road building is an issue Provides logging companies with access to forest Clearcutting is an issue

Tongass National Forest Case-In-Point Tongass National Forest One of world’s few temperate rainforests Old-growth forest Prime logging area Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2000) – protects 1/3 of national forests from road construction and logging

Trends in Tropical Forests Tropical rainforests (below) and tropical dry forests

Disappearing Tropical Rain Forests Greatest in Asia Population growth Immediate causes Subsistence agriculture Slash and burn Commercial logging Cattle ranching Other causes Mining

Disappearing Tropical Dry Forests Primarily destroyed for fuelwood Used for heating and cooking by most developing countries. Wood used to make charcoal (not efficient)

Boreal Forests World’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 barren Animals exceed their carrying capacity Increase erosion Cattle waste increase eutrophication and spreads disease Graze on riparian areas Solution: limit permit #; charge market value to graze Desertification 1. animals graze all plant life 2. rain washes soil away 3. wells, springs dry up because nothing holding water 4. left vegetation dies from drought or removed for firewood 5. wind blows away topsoil

Rangeland Trends in US Make up 30% of total US land area Pressure from developers to subdivide Public 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 improving Grazing fees is an issue

Wetlands Lands covered with water at times during the year High plant productivity!! (hold carbon!) Converting land to agriculture is greatest threat. Restoration of Everglades – famous example Benefits Habitat for migratory waterfowl and wildlife (many endangered species) – reminder: Endangered Species Act Recharge groundwater Reduce damage from flooding Improve water quality (trap nitrogen/phosphates, pesticides) Stabilize shorelines, reduce damage from storms Recreation – photography, fishing

Wetlands Human activity that threatens wetlands Drainage for agriculture Drainage for urbanization mosquito control Dredging for navigation Construction of dams Filling in for solid waste disposal Road building Mining

Conservation and Land Resources

Urban land development ½ SO2, ¼ NO, 1/3 CO2 emissions Green buildings/city design: Rebates/tax incentives for solar energy Xeriscaping for water conservation Use recycled materials Build near public transportation Pedestrian friendly – close shopping, parks Monitor indoor air quality

Suburban sprawl and urbanization Most people live in cities Latin America most urbanized of developing areas; Asia and Africa growing quickly Reasons: access to jobs, better standard of living, access to health care, industrialized agriculture, access to education City living: Pros: less land used, less fossil fuels b/c commuting distances are shorter, better sanitation, more efficient recycling urban heat islands Cons: 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

Transportation Federal Highway system reduces env. impact: Less pollutants (carbon monoxide, NO) Reduce greenhouse gases Improve 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 terms Preservation: Never harmed. Ex. National Parks Restoration: Return to original state. Ex: Everglades Remediation: 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