Renewable Resources notes revised

Grazing

The practice of raising livestock on cleared land, which can contribute to deforestation and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Clear cutting

A logging method involving the removal of all trees in an area, often resulting in habitat destruction and environmental issues.

Ogallala Aquifer

The largest aquifer in North America, located beneath the High Plains, crucial for irrigation but increasingly depleted.

Drip irrigation

An efficient irrigation method that minimizes water wastage by delivering water directly to the plant roots.

Deforestation

Clearing forests for various human activities.

Logging

Cutting trees for lumber and construction.

Mining

Removing trees to access underground resources.

Hydroelectricity

Dams flood forests, causing tree decay underwater.

Methane

Greenhouse gas produced from rotting submerged trees.

Slash and Burn Agriculture

Cutting trees for small vegetable gardens.

Tropical Rainforest Soil

Poor quality, leading to unproductive gardens.

Forest Loss Rate

Approximately 14,000 square kilometers annually.

Road Fragmentation

Roads divide forests into smaller, isolated patches.

Initial State

Virgin rainforest with minimal human infrastructure.

Subsequent Development

Smaller roads and homesteads emerge over time.

Corporate Agriculture

Large-scale farming significantly contributes to deforestation.

Forest Fragmentation

Loss of continuous forest area due to development.

Soybean Fields

Amazon areas converted to corporate-owned soybean fields.

Palm Oil Plantations

Forests replaced by palm tree plantations in Malaysia.

Biofuel

Liquid fuel made from sugar-rich crops.

Crush the Crop

Initial step in biofuel production process.

Add Yeast

Yeast metabolizes sugar, producing CO2 and ethanol.

Concentrate the Alcohol

Alcohol is concentrated via distillation or freezing.

Carbon Cycle

Growing crops absorbs CO2; burning biofuel releases it.

Fossil Fuels

Extracted carbon released into atmosphere, one-way process.

Fuel Independence

Government supports biofuel for domestic energy security.

National Security

Biofuel reduces reliance on foreign energy sources.

Corn as Biofuel

Primary crop for biofuel, heavily subsidized by government.

Corn Shortages

Biofuel production leads to rising corn food prices.

Biofuel Success in Brazil

Sugar cane used for biofuel without food supply disruption.

E85

Fuel blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.

Deforestation for Grazing

Forests cleared for cattle rearing, primarily for beef.

Methane Production

Cattle digestion emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Clear Cutting

All trees cut down for lumber, creating checkerboard patterns.

Long-Term Concerns

Widespread corporate practices threaten future forest health.

MBA Leadership

Corporations led by MBAs, often lacking field expertise.

Short-Term Planning

MBA curriculum emphasizes planning one year ahead.

Tree Farms vs Forests

Reforestation often results in uniform tree farms.

Biodiversity

Diverse ecosystems support various animal and insect life.

Global Deforestation Rate

Approximately 50% of forests globally have been lost.

Ogallala Aquifer

Largest aquifer in North America, crucial for irrigation.

Groundwater Depletion

Over-pumping lowers groundwater levels significantly.

Artesian Wells

Water rises naturally due to pressure in aquifers.

Drip Irrigation

Efficient watering method using minimal water.

Tragedy of the Commons

Overuse of shared resources leads to depletion.

Seawater Intrusion

Over-pumping causes saltwater to contaminate freshwater supplies.

Recycled Water

Water treated for reuse, often from sewage.

Desalination

Process of converting seawater to freshwater.

Natural Purification with Sand

Filtration method using sand to remove impurities.

California Aqueduct

Transports water from Northern to Southern California.

Los Angeles Aqueduct

First major aqueduct, built for Owens River water.

Colorado River Aqueduct

Supplies water from Colorado River to Southern California.

Groundwater Supply in Long Beach

Half of Long Beach's water sourced from groundwater.

Alamitos Barrier Project

Injects water to prevent seawater intrusion in aquifers.