unit 5 (land use)

Module 24 (tragedy of the Commons)

The tendency for a shared, limited resource to becoming depleted if not regulated in some way (main idea)

This phenomenon as a result of (Externality)

  • A cost or benefit of a good or service that is not included in an approaches price of macro or service, or otherwise known chemical

BoLM Lands: Grazing, mining, timber harvesting and recreation

Bureau of Land Management

USFS Lands: Timber harvesting, grazing, and recreation

United States Forest Service

NSP Lands: Recreation and conservation

National Park Service

FWS: Wildlife, conservation, hunting, and recreation

Fish and wildlife service

Land Management in Rangelands and forest

Overgrazed land could result in when erosion that makes it difficult for soil to absorb and retain nutrients

Over Timber harvesting

  • Clear-Cutting

    • The boss of soil and nutrients, increased water erosion

    • Erosion contaminants to nearby water settlements

    • More prone to mudslides

    • Greater release in carbon

  • Selective cutting

  • Ecologically Sustainable Forestry

Forestry Practice

Description

Environmental Impacts

Clear-Cutting

Removal of all trees in an area at once

• Loss of soil nutrients • Increased water erosion • Sediment and contaminants enter nearby water systems • Area becomes more prone to mudslides • Greater release of stored carbon into the atmosphere

Selective Cutting

Only specific trees are removed

• Less soil erosion than clear-cutting • Reduced nutrient loss • Lower impact on nearby water sources • Forest structure largely maintained

Ecologically Sustainable Forestry

Forest management that maintains long-term ecosystem health

• Minimizes erosion and nutrient loss • Protects water quality • Maintains biodiversity • Reduces carbon release while allowing resource use

ACTS and Laws

Act / Law

Year

What It Does

APES Connection

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

1969

Requires Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for major federal projects

Prevents environmental damage before development

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act

1977

Regulates surface coal mining and requires land reclamation

Reduces impacts of mining and abandoned mines

National Forest Management Act

1976

Regulates logging on national forests; promotes sustainable forestry

Limits clear-cutting and protects biodiversity

Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act

1960

Requires federal lands to be managed for multiple purposes

Balances resource use and conservation

Clean Water Act

1972

Regulates pollution in surface waters

Protects rivers, lakes, and streams from contamination

Safe Drinking Water Act

1974

Protects public drinking water supplies

Prevents waterborne health risks

Soil Conservation Act

1935

Promotes soil conservation and erosion prevention

Reduces soil degradation from agriculture

Endangered Species Act

1973

Protects endangered species and their habitats

Prevents biodiversity loss

Meat production methods and impacts of overfishing

CAFOS (concentrated animal feeding operation

  • In regards to waste Disposal and waste lagoons

    • Can be used as fertilizer, however leads to run off

    • Can also create manure lagoons; man-made ponds to handle large quantities of manure produced by livestock; viral

    • risk to humans and Wildlife

  • Free range grazing

    • nomadic grazing (seasonal

    • moving grazing)

Mining

refer to notes

Suburbanization

  • Results in two main classes:

    • Suburbs

      • Residential areas connected to a city

      • Residents often commute to the city for work

      • Moderate population density

    • Exurbs

      • Residential areas not directly connected to a city

      • Located farther from urban centers

      • Lower population density but still dependent on urban resources

Urban Sprawl

  • The spread of urbanized areas into surrounding rural land

  • Removes clear boundaries between urban and rural areas

  • Characterized by:

    • Low-density housing

    • Heavy dependence on automobiles

    • Expansion of roads and infrastructure

Environmental Impacts

  • Saltwater Intrusion

    • Excessive groundwater withdrawal near coastal cities

    • Saltwater moves into freshwater aquifers

    • Contaminates drinking water supplies

  • Impervious Surfaces

    • Roads, parking lots, and buildings prevent water infiltration

    • Increased surface runoff

    • Reduced groundwater recharge

    • Higher risk of flooding and water pollution