Chapter 14

Objectives

1.Distinguish between urban and rural land.

2.Describe three major ways in which humans use land.

3.Explain the concept of ecosystem services.

Forests

Where we live

-Prior to 1850 most people lived in rural areas

--Industrial Revolution changed where people live

--In developed countries most people live in urban areas

The Urban-Rural connectionPeople that live in urban areas depend on resources in rural areas

Ecosystem services – resources produce by natured and artificial ecosystems

i.e. Renewal of soil, purification of water, changing climate

Supporting urban areas depends on the following:

ClimateStandard of livingNow efficient resources are used

Objectives

1.Describe the urban crisis, and explain what people are doing to deal with it.

2.Explain how urban sprawl affects the environment.

3.Explain how open spaces provide urban areas with environmental benefits.

4.Explain the heat-island effect.

5.Describe how people use the geographic information system as a tool for land-use planning.

Urbanization Movement of people

into rural areas1960 - 70%1980 – 75%Why move out of rural

areas???

The Urban CrisisWhat problems are caused by a city that grows too quickly??

Infrastructure – all the things that a society builds for public use (roads, sewer, hospitals, fire & police, power lines, etc)

Urban sprawlExpansion of city into the countryside

Devolvement on marginal lands (poorly suited for building)

Heat islands

Land use planning determines in advance how land will be usedInput from all parties

GIS (geographical information system)

Transportation considerationsMass transit

Need for open space (green spaces)

Objectives

1. Explain the benefits of preserving farmland

2. Describe two ways that rangeland can be managed sustainability

3. Describe the environmental effects of deforestation

4. Explain the function of parks and wilderness area

Farmland

Land that is used to grow crops or fruitUS has over 100 million hectares

1 hectare=10,000 square meters or around 108,000 feet

Development threats farmlandEstablishment of Farmland Protection Agency

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/files/images/farmland-hawaii.jpg

http://www.paulnoll.com/China/Commerce/agri-Sichuan-farmland.jpg

Rangelands

Grasslands, shrublands, and deserts not used for farming

Can be arid or wet Mostly used for livestock

Problems on rangeland

- overgrazing

changes plant community

- maintenance

Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978

http://wildwestproperties.com/ranches/Hudson_Ranch/Rangeland.jpg

Forest lands

Provide many products CO2 removal

Harvesting Each American uses 6300 cubic feet of wood 3 categories

Virgin forest Native forest Tree farms

Methods of harvest Clear-cutting Selective cutting

DeforestationClearing of trees form an area without replacement Reduces wildlife habitat Soil erosion

ReforestationThe process by which trees are planted to re-establish trees that have been cut down

Parks and Preserves

The first national park, Yellowstone, created in 1870s

We currently have over 50 national parks Purposes

Hunting and fishing Wildlife refuges Logging Mining

Wildness areas An area in which the land and the ecosystems it

supports are protected from exploitation 13 million hectares Hiking, boating (no motors), fishing

Benefits of protected areas Species preservation Recreation for people Outdoor classrooms

Threats to protected areas Litter Traffic Nearby areas affect them Climate change