Chapter 14 Land Use and Management

Discussion prompt: Farmland is vanishing Between 1984 to 1992, 210,000 acres of farmland in California were converted to suburbs and cities. This is happening all over the world. How could this affect you?

Rural vs. Urban Urban – an area with 2,500 or more people and a governing body. Rural – an area containing few people and open land. Look at Table 1 on p. 381. Why is rural land important to maintain?

Where we live Pre 1850 USA Industrial Revolution People lived in rural areas Industrial Revolution Fewer people needed on a farm Transportation allowed movement of food and goods People moved to cities Developing nations are following this trend.

Rural-Urban Connection Ecosystem services Clean water Fertile land Trees Wood and paper Oxygen we breathe Remember your eco-footprint. How much rural land is required for you to survive?

Urban land use People live where they can work. For many people, this means living in cities. If human population continues to grow, what do you think will happen to cities?

Land-use planning Determining in advance how land will be used. Malls, sewers, electrical lines, roads, etc… Complex and controversial Environmental concerns are considered Public can comment on these plans

Open Space Scenic and Recreational Enjoyment Greenbelts Parks, gardens, bicycle and hiking trails Greenbelts Open spaces left in their natural condition Read the last paragraph on p. 388. What are three benefits of open spaces in urban areas?

Types of land Farmland - land used to grow crops and fruit Rangelands – supports vegetation like grass, but not farmed Forest lands – land with trees Parks and preserves – natural areas protected from development

Urbanization Movement of people from rural to urban areas. Slow growth makes life easier Roads Public transportation Green spaces

The Urban Crisis Infrastructure – all things built for public use What is included in Powder Springs’ infrastructure? In Atlanta’s? Rapid growth can outpace infrastructure

Urban sprawl Rapid expansion of a city into a countryside. What is needed to support a suburb?

Heat islands Cities generate more heat than vegetation. Rain falls in a city Carried into storm drains Does not evaporate in the city Will this cool or heat the city?

Marginal Lands Poorly suited for building Coastlines, cliffs, mountains. Difficult to build, expensive to insure Why might cities expand to marginal lands?

Transportation Why are American cities difficult to navigate without a car? What are the benefits of mass transit?

Ecosystem services Type of land Ecosystem services Farmland Rangeland Forest land Parks and preserves

Land Management And Conservation

Farmlands Threat of paving, building 1996 – Farmland Protection Program

Rangeland Supports plants, but not farmed Used for grazing Cows, goats, sheep Meat, milk, hides As human pop. grows, so does need for rangeland

Rangeland - Problems Overgrazing eating too many plants native plants get replaced erosion – loss of topsoil

Rangeland - Preserving limiting herd sizes killing invasive species replanting native vegetation multiple water-holes (spread out herd)

Forest lands Products – paper, furniture, building lumber, oxygen Three categories virgin forest – never been cut native forest – planted & managed tree farm – crops

Cutting Trees clear cut – remove all trees selective cutting – only cut older trees Deforestation – removing trees w/out replacing them Reforestation – replanting or allowed to grow naturally

Parks and Preserves 1st national park – Yellowstone Biosphere reserves – include people in conservation plan Public lands (gov’t owned) logging, mining, ranching hunting, fishing, wildlife protection

Wilderness Protected from exploitation OK - hiking, boating, fishing, research Not OK – building, motorized vehicles Preserves nature Provides an escape Managed by volunteers