U.S. Public Land Management Issues

Transcription

1 U.S. Public Land Management Issues

2 Department of the Interior AGENCIES IN CHARGE OF US PUBLIC LANDS Department of Agriculture Bureau of Land Management National Park Service US Fish & Wildlife Service Bureau of Reclamation US Forest Service

3 Dept of Interior Lands Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Agency in charge of the most US public land Lands are used for multiple purposes like grazing, mining, logging, recreation, and more Most BLM lands are found in western US and are often rangeland Rangeland is wild, open land (often in arid/semiarid places) frequently used for grazing or pasture 53% of the west is rangeland BLM lands could also be grasslands or scrublands

4 Rangeland Management Main Rangeland Threat is Overgrazing Grazing in small amounts can benefit the ecosystem Overgrazing though can lead to soil erosion, loss of habitat, eutrophication of water (due to animal wastes), livestock damage to stream banks, desertification, more susceptibility to invasive organisms Taylor Grazing Act is a law the created a permit system for grazing. Some feel it is not stringent enough

5 Dept of Interior Lands National Park Service (NPS) In charge of National Parks, Monuments, Seashores, Scenic Rivers, & more Purpose is to PRESERVE national scenic and historic sites for future generations Multiple uses are allowed on lands BUT the uses must not threaten the long-term sustainability and heritage of the site. So some intensive land uses, like logging or mining, may not be allowed.

6 Dept of Interior Lands US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Agency in charge National Wildlife Refuges Mission of these lands is to conserve and enhance wildlife populations and habitats for the use of the American people. Refuges are often created to protect key habitat for particular wildlife (like bird migration stopover sites) People can use these lands if the use matches the mission of the sites. This does include hunting and fishing. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Lands under this agency fall under mission to develop and manage water resources for the American public. Most USBR lands are in western US This agency typically created water diversion projects, like Hoover Dam, to distribute water to the US west.

7 Dept of Agriculture Lands US Forest Service (USFS) National Forests & Grasslands are controlled by the Forest Service. These areas are managed under 2 key principles: Multiple uses are allowed (even logging or mining) Sustainable uses must occur (all uses must result in sustainable outcomes to the natural resources of the forest)

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9 What is a Wilderness Area? An area designated by Congress to have maximum preservation management to protect from human interventions Humans may visit wilderness areas but must leave no trace. This means many land uses are completely prohibited (no vehicles, mining, logging, etc.) They can be found in a variety of public lands, like National Parks or National Forests One agency is not in charge of all of these in the US Wilderness Areas

10 Forest Management - Succession Ecological Succession - Change in species composition of an ecosystem over time Communities move from younger to older Plants that start succession are pioneer species. Plants that end succession are climax species. Succession ends at a climax community (equilibrium state)

11 Forest Management - Succession Two Types of Succession Primary Succession plants establish in areas where no soil previously existed (bare rocks, ash, inorganic substrate) Secondary Succession plants establish in areas where soil already existed To form soil, rock gets weathered by elements and organisms. Organisms also add organic matter to soil when they decompose Succession is not always predictable different climax communities can result Disturbance often creates the most species richness.

12 Old-growth Avoided severe disturbance for hundreds of years Usually a climax community Low biodiversity but has unique and rare species Types of Forests Second-growth Regrown forest of secondary succession after a disturbance A restart of succession often increases biodiversity. Tree Farm Monoculture of trees, usually for economic gain Provides wood products without disturbing natural habitats Low biodiversity

13 Current State of Forests Global Status 46% of the world s forests have undergone deforestation (the loss of large forest tracts for other uses) Most of this loss has occurred since 1950 Most forests cleared for agriculture; particularly in developing nations US Status The US has actually gained forest land back since 1900 most are second-growth 30% of US land area is forested Benefits of Forests Forests provide oxygen, clean the air, absorb water, store carbon, filter water, provide habitat for most wildlife species (80%) and many other services

14 CELEBRATE OUR PUBLIC LANDS TODAY!!!

15 Fire Ecology and Forests Fire was once considered EVIL!! now we know fires are part of many ecosystems, particularly forests and grasslands. Two Types of Forest Fire Surface Fire usually small; only burn small branch and leaf waste on ground; kill small seedlings, while big trees survive Crown Fire large blazes; start on ground and reach canopy; usually occur when no surface fires have cleared the waste for years before.

16 Surface fires are good. Fire Management Reduce potential fire waste on forest floor Allow fire tolerant species to sprout and serotinous cones to open (like jack pine). Control/kill disease organisms Provides habitat for wildlife liking disturbance Adds nutrients back to the soil

17 Fire Management Crown Fire Formation Crown fires only occur after a lot of waste has accumulated on the forest floor (due to suppressing surface fires) Small seedlings still grow to intermediate sized trees If these catch fire, they help transfer the fire from the forest floor to the canopy called green ladders Once in the canopy, fire rages out of control These fires take away all habitat, leave soil bare and open to erosion, and destroy human structures!

18 US Fire Management In the early 1900s, the US viewed fire as destructive and deadly. A policy of fire suppression started. All fires were to be put out. This started the development of Smokey Bear as a mascot for antiforest fires. This suppression has lasted for almost 100 years, leading to significant buildup of fire fuel in forests. Now if fires break out, fuel load is so high, that fire is dangerous.

19 New Fire Policies Prescribed Fires People purposefully lighting surface fires, to reduce fire fuel Also allows planning and monitoring to prevent damage Prescribed fires attempt to prevent crown fires or lessen their effects.