Land Chapter 14. How we use land Land usage- –Rangeland= used for grazing and wildlife –Forest land= used for harvesting wood, wildlife, fish, and other

LandLand

Chapter 14Chapter 14

How we use landHow we use land Land usage-Land usage-

– Rangeland= used for grazing and wildlifeRangeland= used for grazing and wildlife– Forest land= used for harvesting wood, wildlife, Forest land= used for harvesting wood, wildlife,

fish, and other resourcesfish, and other resources– Cropland= used for farmingCropland= used for farming– Parks and reserves= land used for recreation Parks and reserves= land used for recreation

and scenic enjoyment or for preserving native and scenic enjoyment or for preserving native ecosystems.ecosystems.

– Wetlands, mountains, deserts, and other= land Wetlands, mountains, deserts, and other= land that is difficult for use by humansthat is difficult for use by humans

– Urban land= used for homes, businesses, Urban land= used for homes, businesses, industry, and roadsindustry, and roads

How we use landHow we use land


Where we liveWhere we live– Until about 1850 most people lived in rural Until about 1850 most people lived in rural

areas.areas.

How we use landHow we use land All people (those in cities or in rural areas) All people (those in cities or in rural areas)

are dependent on resources from rural are dependent on resources from rural areas.areas.


In most developed counties it takes about 8 In most developed counties it takes about 8 hectares of land to supply the ecosystem hectares of land to supply the ecosystem services needed for survival.services needed for survival.

In the U.S. it take about 12 hectares of land In the U.S. it take about 12 hectares of land for needed ecosystem services.for needed ecosystem services.

Many developing countries require less Many developing countries require less than1 hectare of land per personthan1 hectare of land per person

Urban Land UseUrban Land Use

Urbanization- movement of people from Urbanization- movement of people from rural areas to citiesrural areas to cities– 1960- 70% of the U.S. population lived in urban 1960- 70% of the U.S. population lived in urban

areasareas– 1970- 75% of the U.S. population lived in urban 1970- 75% of the U.S. population lived in urban

areasareas– Sometimes several small towns grow together Sometimes several small towns grow together

to make an urban area and this is refered to as to make an urban area and this is refered to as a complex metropolitan area (Auburn-Opelika)a complex metropolitan area (Auburn-Opelika)

Urban land useUrban land use

Urban CrisisUrban Crisis– Infrastructure- all the things society builds for Infrastructure- all the things society builds for

public usepublic use RoadsRoads BuildingsBuildings SewersSewers Water mainsWater mains Power linesPower lines


Urban sprawl- rapid expansion of a city into Urban sprawl- rapid expansion of a city into the countryside around the citythe countryside around the city– SuburbsSuburbs– People commute to work and to get resourcesPeople commute to work and to get resources– Development of cities on marginal lands (land Development of cities on marginal lands (land

not suited for building) because of a lack of not suited for building) because of a lack of space around the city for growth.space around the city for growth.

– Heat island= the temperature at the heart of a Heat island= the temperature at the heart of a city is higher than the surrounding countryside city is higher than the surrounding countryside (affects locate weather patterns)(affects locate weather patterns)


Urban planning-Urban planning-– Land use planning- determining in advance how Land use planning- determining in advance how

land will be used.land will be used. Uses GIS to plan areas around existing sewer lines, Uses GIS to plan areas around existing sewer lines,

roads, and parksroads, and parks Transportation- Mass transit system are set up to Transportation- Mass transit system are set up to

move large #’s of people throughout the citymove large #’s of people throughout the city Open space (green space)- set aside to leave scenic Open space (green space)- set aside to leave scenic

and recreational enjoyment. and recreational enjoyment. – greenbeltsgreenbelts

Land Management and conservationLand Management and conservation

FarmlandsFarmlands– U.S. has 100 million hectares of prime farmlandU.S. has 100 million hectares of prime farmland– 1996 National Farmland Protection Program1996 National Farmland Protection Program

Land Management and Land Management and ConservationConservation

RangelandRangeland– Land that supports different vegetation types Land that supports different vegetation types

like grasslands, shrublands or desertlike grasslands, shrublands or desert– Not used for growing crops ot timberNot used for growing crops ot timber– Population increases require greater usePopulation increases require greater use– Overgrazing- animals graze more than the Overgrazing- animals graze more than the

ecosystem can maintain. Causes desertificationecosystem can maintain. Causes desertification– Most U.S. rangelands are public landsMost U.S. rangelands are public lands– Public Rangeland Improvement Act of 1978Public Rangeland Improvement Act of 1978


Forest Lands- provide timber, paper products, Forest Lands- provide timber, paper products, recreation, and has aesthetic valuerecreation, and has aesthetic value– Worldwide use of lumber is 1,800 cmWorldwide use of lumber is 1,800 cm33 per day but the per day but the

U.S. is about 3.5 moreU.S. is about 3.5 more– Clear cutting- removal of all trees when harvesting Clear cutting- removal of all trees when harvesting

benefit= cheaperbenefit= cheaper disadvantage= greater disruption to habitatdisadvantage= greater disruption to habitat

– Selective cutting- removal of only middle aged and Selective cutting- removal of only middle aged and mature treesmature trees Benefit= less disruptive to ecosystemBenefit= less disruptive to ecosystem Disadvantage= $$Disadvantage= $$


Deforestation- clearing of trees without Deforestation- clearing of trees without replacing themreplacing them


Parks and PreservesParks and Preserves– Yellowstone National Park (1872)Yellowstone National Park (1872)– Public lands are used for all purposesPublic lands are used for all purposes

RecreationRecreation Habitat/species protectionHabitat/species protection resourcesresources

– Wilderness- a public land that are protected Wilderness- a public land that are protected from all human interferencefrom all human interference Sipsey Wilderness in AlabamaSipsey Wilderness in Alabama


Documents

Land Chapter 14. How we use land Land usage- –Rangeland= used for grazing and wildlife –Forest land= used for harvesting wood, wildlife, fish, and other