Env. - Forestry and Rangelands

why is clear cutting the most economical way to harvest trees

it is to make sure that smaller trees do not get blocked out. When a clearcut happens new trees are all planted at the same time causing them to grow together

reprecussions of clear cutting

soil erosion, mudslides, nutrient loss, low biodiversity

ecological services a forest provides

lumber, recreation, reduce erosion, carbon sink, biodiversity

why does farming old growth forests not work

because the trees will not grow back

why do fire suppression campaigns lead to larger forest fires

causes more fuels (dead biomass left in forests to burn)

what are prescribed burns

premeditated fires that remove the undergrowth

why are tree plantations bad for biodiversity

because they are planted with the same trees in ways that dont cater to wildlife

what is the usfs good at and bad at

they protect lumber and recreational areas well but do not keep high biodiversity

What is the Tragedy of the Commons?

when ranchers overpopulate a public space with cattle causing overgrazing

2 solutions to tragedy of the commons

ownership of public lands/splitting it up and government limits on who can put cattle where

2 repercussions of overused rangelands

overgrazing, deforestation

what do overused rangelands cause

desertification

what did the taylor act of 1934 do

established cattle grazing areas

2 issues faced by the bureau of land management

protecting grazing but not biodiversity and the cost of grazing vs the cost for the government to fund it