1. Land

2. How We Use Land Land use and cover What you find on a patch of land
Farm, forest, city, wetlands, homes, etc…
Urban
Buildings and roads
> 2,500 people
Rural
Open space
Few people

6. Primary Land Uses Land cover types Rangeland Forest land Cropland
Parks/Preserves
Wetlands, mountains, deserts, other
Urban land

7. Where We Live Until ~1850 – rural areas Industrial revolution
Better machinery  less people needed on farms  moved to cities for jobs
Transportation improved
Goods could be moved more easily
Almost half of world’s population live in cities
>1/2 will by 2007
Most rapid in developing countries

8. United States

9. Urban-Rural Connection
Dependence upon rural resources
Ecosystem services
Clean air and water
Soil
Flood/drought prevention
Regulation of climate
Biodiversity
Cycling of nutrients
Detoxification
Aesthetic beauty

10. Example - Resources From Forests

11. Urban Land Use The urban crisis Rapid growth stresses infrastructure
All public societal needs
Living conditions deteriorate

12. Urban Land Use Urban sprawl Rapid expansion onto countryside Suburbs
Typically farms  homes
2.5 million acres per year
More Americans live in suburbs than cities and countryside combined

13. Development on Marginal Lands
Many cities established in areas with limited space
Suburbs end up in marginal areas
Poorly suited for building

14. Other Impacts Heat islands Cities generate and trap more heat than the
countryside
Atlanta, GA
City ~10oF warmer
Changes local weather  more rain

15. Atlanta, GA

16. Urban Planning Land-use planning Plan before building
Can be used to plan for minimal impact
Developers must develop plans
Public information
Use GIS
Geographic information systems
Use satellites to photograph Earth

19. Urban Planning Open space
Land set aside for scenic and recreational enjoyment
Left natural
Absorb CO2 and
produce O2
Filter pollutants
Absorb water

20. Management and Conservation
Farmland
>250 million acres in the US
Farmland Protection Program
Helps buy land to prevent it from being developed

21. Management and Conservation
Rangelands
Land that supports vegetation but not used for agriculture
Often used to feed livestock
Overgrazing  invasive plants or erosion
Much is in need of repair

22. Management and Conservation
Forest lands
Trees harvested for many uses
Wood use
1,800 cm3/person/day
Person in US – 100 ft tree/year
Clear-cutting
Cutting down all trees in an area
Selective cutting
Removing only middle-aged and mature trees

23. Management and Conservation
Deforestation
Clearing trees without replanting more
To make farms, homes, roads, factories
Leads to soil erosion
Reforestation
Planting replacement trees
Mandatory in some areas when trees are cut down

24. Management and Conservation
Parks and preserves
Yellowstone = 1st National Park
~50 today
Public lands serve many purposes
May be leased to private companies
Wilderness
Protected from all exploitation
32 million acres in US
Millions of visitors  serious impact