Land Use: Forests, Rangelands, Parks and Wilderness

Transcription

1 Land Use: Forests, Rangelands, Parks and Wilderness

2 World Land Use

3 Types of Protected Lands in U.S. Multiple-use lands National Forest (U.S.F.S.) sustainable yield multiple use used for logging, mining, grazing, farming, oil, recreation, hunting and conservation National Resource lands (BLM) mostly in west and Alaska multiple use used for mineral and oil extraction/ grazing

4 Types of Protected Lands Moderately Restricted-Use Lands National Wildlife Refuges (USFWS) 508 refuges 24% designated as wilderness protect habitats oil, farming, hunting, mineral extraction are allowed as long as D of I says OK

5 Types of Protected Lands Restricted-Use lands National Park System (NPS) 54 National Parks and 316 recreation areas, battlefields, memorials, etc. Preserve and interpret the country s historic and cultural heritage and protect wilderness areas Parks:can be used for camping, hiking, fishing and boating Rec areas: also mining and oil 49% of National Park system is wilderness

6 Types of Protected Lands Restricted-Use lands National Wilderness Preservation System (NPS, USFWS, USFS) 474 roadless areas in National Parks, wildlife refuges and national forests Are preserved untouched for everyone to enjoy later used for hiking, fishing, camping, non-motorized boating, hunting, horseback riding roads, grazing, mining, buildings are prohibited

7 Locations of Parks, Preserves, Forests and Refuges

8 Forest Management Most of the world s forests are managed for paper and wood production Paper production uses short rotation Old-growth wood for furniture requires long rotation

9 Types of Forest Management Even-aged management forest is cut down, and regrowth trees are maintained at the same size and age monoculture industrial forestry high industrial productivity low biodiversity

10 Types of Forest Management Uneven-aged management variety of tree species are maintained at different sizes and ages fosters natural regeneration high diversity long term production of high quality timber Strategy decision is based upon return timetable of money required

11 Tree Harvesting

12 If you were a trying to cut the trees in a forest, what strategy would you employ?

13 Strategy 1: Selective Cutting intermediate-aged or old trees are cut maintains unevenaged stand industry people say it is not profitable can be destructive because many trees can be killed by removing a few large ones

14 Strategy 2: Shelterwood - Cutting mature trees are removed in 2-3 cuts leaving even aged stand natural looking forest that can be used for recreation can be a good habitat for wildlife

15 Strategy 3: Seed-tree Cutting harvests most of a stand s trees in one cutting leaves a few remaining trees to re-seed the site after new trees are established, remaining adults are taken allows several species good for wildlife and recreation

16 Strategy 4: Clear-cutting all trees are removed at once site is artificially re-seeded requires less money, skill high return eliminates recreational and wildlife use

17 Strategy 5: Strip cutting a strip of trees is removed that is narrow enough to be naturally re-seeded the next year, a new strip is cut; etc. forest is clear-cut over a decade or so will much less damage

18 Strategy 5: Whole-tree harvesting the entire tree, including roots are brought to plants and chopped into wood chips most destructive methods, because it removes all plants material and most associated organisms removes nutrients from soil

19 How are fires important in forest management?

20 Fires Pros many plant species require fires for seedling generation destruction of old trees, providing light gaps, encourages growth of young trees regrowth provides food for herbivores

21 Fires Cons can be destructive to huge plots of land and animal plant species can threaten structures can accelerate erosion

22 Fire Policy Prevention, Prescribed burns, Suppression Historically, all fires have been suppressed this caused the build-up of dead plant material when fires erupted they were severe Smokey the Bear was not a good idea Since 1972 most natural fires have been allowed to burn natural process of regeneration Yellowstone fires is causing people to think about reversing the policy

23 Threats to forests Pathogens and insects Air pollution and Climate Change Harvesting wood although per capita wood use is less, population is growing faster than decrease. regulations greatly support logging but, forests are generally healthier than they have been (depending on whose definition of health.)

24 Definition Managing Rangelands lands that provide foraging material for grazing animals usually in areas to dry for irrigation 42% is used for grazing livestock 34% of U.S. land is rangeland 84% of mammals species 74% of bird species Threats overgrazing, destruction to riparian habitats huge subsidies read about coyotes and sheep

25 Managing National Parks Established in the U.S. in 1912, most in West Threats not enough money to maintain them many are too small to support large species increased people visiting parks (500mil by 2010) non-native species brought in human activities on adjacent lands air pollution To do: use all fees for management refocus attention on preserving habitat read about everglades

26 Managing Other Wilderness Areas Definition areas that are undisturbed by humans activities should be at least 1,500 square miles so that it is not affected by pollution, drilling, forestry and urban development 34% of the earth s surface 30% of them are forests only 20% are protected

27 Wilderness Areas

28 Solutions: Biosphere reserves Core area - no disturbance buffer zone - managed activities transition zone - sustainable forestry and conservation

29 Establishing Reserves