Transcript Document 7301294
Land Use in the World
Land Use in the United States
Rangeland and pasture 29%
U.S. Public Lands
Managing U.S. Public Lands
Management ethics
Economic
Balanced multiple use
Ecological
Preservationist
Changing Management
Through late-1800s: economic
Developed to maximize use and profit
Sold to homesteaders, railroads, timber and mining companies
Changing Management
Late-1800s: balanced multiple use
Use in several ways, but manage properly so resource is not damaged
Maximum sustained yield
Set aside forest reserves to ensure adequate timber supply, protect river watersheds
Changing Management
Also late-1800s: ecological
Use it, but emphasize maintaining natural aspects (plants, animals)
1872: lands set aside for eventual 1st national park - Yellowstone
Ethic supported greatly by U.S.
President Theodore Roosevelt
Changing Management
Throughout 1900s: preservationist
No development, leave as is for future
Aldo Leopold, WI conservationist
1964: National Wilderness Act (4%) - lands set aside, retained in natural state, no development unless for the “national good”
Today’s Management
Most lands managed according to balanced multiple use or ecological ethics - e.g. U.S. Forest Service Bureau of Land Management
Public lands still facing many problems
Conflicting Demands
Mineral Resources
Wilderness Problems
Suffering from overuse
Limited entry in many areas
Timber, mining companies want access to resources
For the “national good”
Park Problems
Severe overuse
Billions of visitors each year
Cars, noise, pollution, litter, crime
Conflicts between providing for visitor enjoyment and still conserving resources
Forest Problems
Conflicting demands
Timber, grazing, recreation, mining, ecology
Ecological benefits: air cleaning, erosion control, oxygen, soil fertility, water recycling, wildlife shelter
Exceeding maximum sustained yield in many areas
Rangeland Problems
Overgrazing
Too many on too little for too long
Kills grass root systems
When combined with drought, overgrazing can cause desertification - conversion to desert
Degradation of Tropical Forests
Tropical Deforestation
Rapid and increasing
Loss of biodiversity
Cultural extinction
Unsustainable agriculture and ranching
Clearing for cash crop plantations
Commercial logging
Fuelwood
Wildlife Resources
What is happening to the wildlife and plant resources around us today?
U.S. Species Diversity
Decreasing Biodiversity
10-20% of species alive in 1975 were extinct in 2000
Mostly plants, invertebrates in tropical rain forests (many undescribed species)
40% of all species live in tropical areas
Disappear along with forests
Extinction Not New
99% of all species have gone extinct
Gradual environmental changes have been responsible for most extinctions
Rapid environmental changes from asteroids, etc. also have been important in many extinctions
Extinction Rates
Background (natural) rate of extinction
Mass extinction
Why Should We Care About Extinctions and Biodiversity?
1) economics 2) aesthetics 3) ecological 4) ethics
Causes of Premature Extinction of Wild Species
Habitat Disturbance and Destruction
California Condor
Commercial Hunting
Black Rhino Range in 1700 Range today (about 2,400 left)
Predator and Pest Control
African Elephant Probable range 1600 Range today (300,000 left)
Collecting for Pets, Zoos, Research
Pollution
Bald Eagle - DDT
Species Introductions
Dodo Bird Zebra Mussel
Threats from Nonnative Species
Strategies for Protecting Biodiversity
Species approach
Ecosystem approach
The Species Approach: Legal Means
International Treaties: CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
National Laws: ESA - Endangered Species Act
The Species Approach: The Sanctuary
Wildlife refuges and protected areas - e.g. whooping cranes
Gene banks, botanical gardens, and farms
Zoos and Aquariums - captive breeding programs
The Ecosystem Approach
Biosphere reserves
U.S. has >30 reserves - Yellowstone National Park - Great Smoky Mtns. National Park
Other countries have similar reserves
Bird Success Stories
California Condor Whooping Crane Peregrine Falcon Canada Goose Wild Turkey
Economics and the Environment
Sustaining economic growth?
- Is growth necessary for progress ?
- Limited natural resources - Limited capacity to deal with wastes
Directed Economic Growth
Identify different forms of growth with cost-benefit analyses
Environmentally good (GDP)
Environmentally bad (GDP)
Redirect growth
Redirecting Economic Growth
Reduce polluting growth, and growth dependent on nonrenewable resources
Encourage “clean” and efficient growth, and growth dependent on renewable resources
Harmful External Costs and Full Cost Pricing
External costs - need to eliminate waste in the economy
Full-cost pricing - pay true cost for goods and services recycling fee and pollution tax to cost of new tires, oil changes
Politics
Orderly distribution of resources
Political systems designed to accomplish this goal
United States Political System
Legislative : enact laws to ensure equitable distribution of resources
Clean Air & Water Acts, Water Pollution Control Act, RCRA, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
NEPA
Environmental impact statement
Short- and long-term effects of project on the environment
Examine alternatives
United States Political System
Executive : enforce the laws
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Enforce environmental regulations
Distribute federal money for environmental purposes (Superfund)
United States Political System
Judicial : interpreting the laws
Environmental law - Who “speaks for the trees”?
The Lorax
Environmental Policy in the United States
Factors Hindering Democracies in Dealing with Environmental Problems
Lack of long-range planning (usually focus on short-term issues)
Special interest groups have too much influence
Too much bureaucracy
Factors Hindering Democracies in Dealing with Environmental Problems
Reactive to problems instead of proactive
Major affected groups do not vote; no obligation on the part of politicians
Elected officials spend too much time raising money to be reelected
Religion and the Environment
Most environmental degradation has been the result of human attitudes and values.
Self-centered view of nature
Religion and the Environment
All major religions emphasize humans as a part of nature
Steward of nature
A steward is a caretaker
Religion and the Environment
Most people do not practice their religious or philosophical beliefs when it relates to the environment (not acting as stewards)
Human population growth Resource problems Pollution problems
More emphasis is being placed on environmental concerns now by the world’s religious leaders.
Ecological Crisis?
Gloom and doom?
Technological optimism?
“Good old days”?
An important beginning
Lots more to accomplish