Land Use in the World

Land Use in the United States Rangeland and pasture 29%

U.S. Public Lands

Managing U.S. Public Lands Management ethics Economic Balanced multiple use Ecological Preservationist

Changing Management Through late-1800s: economic Developed to maximize use and profit Sold to homesteaders, railroads, timber and mining companies

Changing Management Late-1800s: balanced multiple use Use in several ways, but manage properly so resource is not damaged Maximum sustained yield Set aside forest reserves to ensure adequate timber supply, protect river watersheds

Changing Management Also late-1800s: ecological Use it, but emphasize maintaining natural aspects (plants, animals) 1872: lands set aside for eventual 1st national park - Yellowstone Ethic supported greatly by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt

Changing Management Throughout 1900s: preservationist No development, leave as is for future Aldo Leopold, WI conservationist 1964: National Wilderness Act (4%) - lands set aside, retained in natural state, no development unless for the “national good”

Today’s Management Most lands managed according to balanced multiple use or ecological ethics - e.g. U.S. Forest Service Bureau of Land Management Public lands still facing many problems

Conflicting Demands Mineral Resources

Wilderness Problems Suffering from overuse Limited entry in many areas Timber, mining companies want access to resources For the “national good”

Park Problems Severe overuse Billions of visitors each year Cars, noise, pollution, litter, crime Conflicts between providing for visitor enjoyment and still conserving resources

Managing and Sustaining National Parks Most parks are too small to maintain biodiversity Invasion by exotic species Popularity a major problem Traffic jams and air pollution Visitor impact (noise) Natural regulation Better pay for park staff

Forest Problems Conflicting demands Timber, grazing, recreation, mining, ecology Ecological benefits: air cleaning, erosion control, oxygen, soil fertility, water recycling, wildlife shelter Exceeding maximum sustained yield in many areas

Types of Forests Old-growth (frontier) forests Second-growth forests Tree farms/plantations

Rangeland Problems Overgrazing Too many on too little for too long Kills grass root systems When combined with drought, overgrazing can cause desertification - conversion to desert

The Fuelwood Crisis Planting fast-growing fuelwood plants Burning wood more efficiently Switching to other fuels

Degradation of Tropical Forests

Logging Roads Increased erosion and runoff Habitat fragmentation Pathways for exotic species Accessibility to humans

Tropical Deforestation Rapid and increasing Loss of biodiversity Cultural extinction Unsustainable agriculture and ranching Clearing for cash crop plantations Commercial logging Fuelwood

Reducing Tropical Deforestation Identification of critical ecosystems Reducing poverty and population growth Sustainable tropical agriculture Encourage protection of large tracts Debt-for-nature swaps Less destructive harvesting methods