Land Use Concepts and Classification

These flashcards encompass key vocabulary and concepts related to land use, environmental issues, and sustainable practices discussed in the lecture.

Tragedy of the Commons

The tendency of a shared, limited resource to become depleted because people act from self-interest for short-term gain.

Commons

An area used by everyone, but regulated by no one, which can refer to air, land, or water.

Externalities

Costs not included in purchase price, significant in environmental science due to their impact on environmental damage.

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)

The maximum amount of a renewable resource that can be harvested without compromising the future availability of that resource.

Selective Cutting

A logging practice that involves removing only certain trees in a forest, minimizing damage to the surrounding ecosystem.

Public Lands

Lands used for a variety of purposes and managed to continue their use, subject to regulations.

Old-Growth Forests

Forests that have not been disturbed for 350+ years and host many species with specialized niches.

Second-growth Forest

Forests that result from natural secondary succession after an area has been disturbed.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including water regulation, climate influence, and habitat provision.

Clear Cutting

A logging practice that removes all or almost all trees in an area, often leading to negative environmental impacts.

Slash and Burn Cutting

A method of land clearing that involves burning stumps and vegetation to prepare for new agricultural use.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, which is significantly impacted by logging practices.

Pollutants

Substances that cause harm to the environment, which are absorbed by trees and released during deforestation.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, exacerbated by CO2 emissions from logging.

Rangelands

Unused land such as deserts and tundras that are designated for grazing and other agricultural uses.

Deforestation

The clearing or thinning of forests by humans, often leading to loss of biodiversity and habitat.

Recreational Opportunities

Activities available in public lands that provide benefits such as tourism, enjoyment, and income for communities.