Rangelands, Urbanization, and Public Lands Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering rangeland management, urbanization challenges, urban sprawl, and the administration of US public lands.

Rangelands

Mostly open expanses dominated by grasses, shrubs, and scattered trees that comprise 40\text{%} of the landmass of the US.

Desertification

The conversion of marginal rangeland or cropland to more desert-like land, caused by overgrazing, drought, soil erosion, and climate changes.

Overgrazing

Occurs when plants are exposed to grazing for too long without sufficient recovery periods, leading to root dieback and reduced soil fertility.

Urbanization

The movement of people from rural areas to cities, currently occurring at the greatest rates in Asia and Africa.

Urban Sprawl

The expansion of human populations away from central urban areas into low-density, car-dependent communities.

Smart Growth

An "Urban Village" design that slows urban sprawl by creating walkable, mixed-use communities to consolidate home, work, and recreation.

Federal Highway System

A network of $160,00$ miles of roadway where interstates are partly federally funded but built, owned, and operated by the individual states.

Roadless Rule

A policy that protects 31\text{%} of National Forest lands in order to provide havens for biodiversity and reduce habitat fragmentation.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

The agency that manages $\frac{1}{8}\text{th}$ of the land area of the US and $300$ million acres of subsurface mining resources.

Wilderness Areas

Wild or primitive portions of national forests, parks, and refuges where commercial activity, motor vehicles, and human structures are prohibited.