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 ~10 o F 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 CO 2 and produce O 2 –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 cm 3 /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 = 1 st 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