Summary of Land Resources and Management

U.S. National Parks

• Pinnacles National Park, CA: Habitat for the California condor, established 2013, previously a national monument since 1908.

Land Use in the United States

• Ownership: 60% private citizens; 28% federal; 9% state/local government; 2% Native American tribes.
• Types of Federal Lands: National parks, wildlife refuges, forests, and grasslands managed by the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture.

Federal Land Management Agencies

• U.S. Department of the Interior: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), National Park Service (NPS).
• U.S. Department of Agriculture: U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

Ecosystem Services

• Federal lands provide critical ecosystem services: wildlife habitat, flood control, groundwater recharge, recreation opportunities.

Forests and Ecosystem Functions

• Forests cover 1/4 of Earth's land, provide timber, habitat, and ecosystem services (e.g., carbon sinks, climate regulation).
• Forest Management Methods: Ecologically sustainable practices versus monoculture plantations.

Deforestation

• Major issue; 230 million hectares lost globally (1990-2015).
• Most significant in tropical forests; causes soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and contributes to climate change.

Rangelands

• Primarily for grazing, support livestock, and vegetation growth crucial for soil stability.
• Overgrazing leads to land degradation and desertification.

National Parks and Wilderness Areas

• The National Park Service administers parks; focuses on education and resource management.
• Wilderness Areas: Strictly preserved land, limited human activity.

Management Philosophies**

• Wisdom Movement: Advocates for resource extraction and economic growth.
• Environmental Movement: Emphasizes protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.