Land Usage and Management

Land Usage We use land for several things:We use land for several things: –Residential- Homes and living spaces –Agricultural- Land that produces food for human consumption –Industrial- Factories and places that make items –Commercial- Stores and places that make money –Wild Lands-Land that is not used for anything, but allowed to be natural and wild.

Land Usage Any time that humans use land, they change the native ecosystem.Any time that humans use land, they change the native ecosystem. Forests become grasslands (NYS), deserts become grasslands (Las Vegas)Forests become grasslands (NYS), deserts become grasslands (Las Vegas) This can change the biodiversity of an ecosystemThis can change the biodiversity of an ecosystem Desert Rose Golf Club, Las Vegas Just outside Las Vegas

Why Do Humans Change the Ecosystems? To have a place to live (residential)To have a place to live (residential) To grow food (agricultural)To grow food (agricultural) To have a place to make stuff (industrial)To have a place to make stuff (industrial) To have a place to buy stuff (commercial)To have a place to buy stuff (commercial)

Residential Issues Houses take up space! AND people want lush green grass yards!Houses take up space! AND people want lush green grass yards! Suburban sprawl-The spread of housing developments around the outside of citiesSuburban sprawl-The spread of housing developments around the outside of cities –Often built on wetlands –Generate tons of solid waste (waste that is solid)

Agricultural Issues A lot of land is used to grow just one kind of plant (crop)A lot of land is used to grow just one kind of plant (crop) Often harsh chemical pesticides and fertilizers are usedOften harsh chemical pesticides and fertilizers are used These pesticides can runoff and containment water suppliesThese pesticides can runoff and containment water supplies

Industrial Issues Industry uses a lot of water…195 billion gallons of water per day.Industry uses a lot of water…195 billion gallons of water per day. Industry also has to get rid of its waste products. To do this cheaply, they just dump the wastes into the nearest stream…Industry also has to get rid of its waste products. To do this cheaply, they just dump the wastes into the nearest stream… –This causes pollution, and is illegal, but its expensive to get rid of the waste ecologically, so some companies still pollute.

Superfund Superfund is a lawSuperfund is a law It states that when the EPA identifies polluters, they can make those polluters clean up the pollutionIt states that when the EPA identifies polluters, they can make those polluters clean up the pollution OR make the polluters pay to have it cleaned up.OR make the polluters pay to have it cleaned up. Sometimes, they can’t find or make the polluters pay thoughSometimes, they can’t find or make the polluters pay though The money for Superfund comes from taxes on oil and energy companiesThe money for Superfund comes from taxes on oil and energy companies

Commercial Issues Commercial properties take up SPACE.Commercial properties take up SPACE. This is space that organisms can’t use anymore.This is space that organisms can’t use anymore. Also, commercial properties produce a lot of waste, both water and solid.Also, commercial properties produce a lot of waste, both water and solid. Parking Lots!Parking Lots!

Wild Spaces Parks are NOT wild! They are gardens, where humans sculpture them for their own uses.Parks are NOT wild! They are gardens, where humans sculpture them for their own uses. True wilderness areas are free from the direct influence of humansTrue wilderness areas are free from the direct influence of humans The Endangered Species Act of 1972 preserves the habitat (land) of endangered speciesThe Endangered Species Act of 1972 preserves the habitat (land) of endangered species