Wilderness Act
A 1964 act that authorized the U.S. government to set aside land hat retains the primeval character of the land and lacks permanent improvements or permanent human habitation. Most of them are in Alaska.
Wilderness Area
Federal land that is designated off-limits to development of any kind but is open to public recreation, such as hiking, nature study, and other activities that have minimal impact on the land.
National Wildlife Refuge
An area set aside to serve as a haven for wildlife and also sometimes to encourage hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and other public uses.
Habitat fragmentation
The process by which an expanse of natural habitat becomes broken up into discontinuous fragments, often as a result of farming, logging, road-building, and other types of human development and land use.
Wildlife corridors
Protected zones that connect isolated unlogged areas of forest, allowing animals to pass safely from one area to another.
Rangeland
Land used for grazing livestock.
National Park
A scenic area set aside for recreation and enjoyment by the public. Today, the system numbers 392 sites and includes national historic sites, national recreation areas, national wild and scenic rivers, and other types of areas.
National Forest
Areas managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management that have multiple use that varies from livestock forage and hunting to mining and timber harvesting. Is often a subject of conflict between economic and recreational interest.
Suburban sprawl
The unrestrained spread of urban or suburban development outward from a city center and across the landscape. Sometimes specified as growth in which the area of development outpaces population growth.
maximum sustainable yield
the maximum rate at which a renewable resource can be exploited without impairing its ability to be renewed or replenished
Clearcutting
The process of cutting down all the trees in an area at once
selective cutting
The method of harvesting trees that involves the removal of single trees or a relatively small number of trees from among many in a forest.
shelterwood cutting
cut dead trees first, then less desirable trees, and cut mature trees last (creates open areas that encourage growth)
seed-tree cutting
removes all but a few seed trees to promote regeneration
tree plantation
a large area typically planted with a single rapidly growing tree species
prescribed burn
A fire deliberately set under controlled conditions in order to reduce the accumulation of dead biomass on a forest floor
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
A 1969 U.S. federal act that mandates an environmental assessment of all projects involving federal money or federal permits.
Environmental Impact Statement
Statement required by Federal law from all agencies for any project using Federal funds to assess the potential affect of the new construction or development on the environment.
smart growth
Legislation and regulations to limit suburban sprawl and preserve farmland.
ecological services of forests
-support energy flow and chemical cycling
-reduce soil erosion
-absorb and release water
-purify water and air
-influence local and regional climate
-store atmospheric carbon
-provide numerous wildlife habitats
economic services of forests
fuelwood, lumber, pulp to make paper, mining, livestock grazing, recreation, jobs
slash and burn
A farming method involving the cutting of trees, then burning them to provide ash-enriched soil for the planting of crops
Fuelwood
Branches, twigs, logs, wood chips, and other wood products harvested for use as fuel.
Effects of logging
Increased erosion, increased sediment runoff, and loss of biodiversity
10 principles of smart growth
1. Mixed land uses
2. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices
3. Create walkable neighborhoods
4. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions
5. Take advantage of compact building design
6. Foster distinctive, at
Wetlands
Ecosystems of several types in which vegetation is surrounded by stand water during part of the year
Threats to wetlands
- pollution
- use of lands for farming, grazing, building homes
- floods, droughts, hurricanes
- development in general
Taylor Grazing Act
A United States federal law that regulates grazing on federal public land. The Secretary of the Interior has the authority to handle all of the regulations, and he became responsible for establishing grazing districts. Before these districts are created t
eco-city
A city that aims to provide a healthy environment for its inhabitants without using more resources than it replaces.
Greenbelt
A ring of land maintained as parks, agriculture, or other types of open space to limit the sprawl of an urban area.
infrastructure
Fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area, as transportation and communication systems, power plants, and schools
megacities
cities with more than 10 million people
sprawl
Development of new housing sites at relatively low density and at locations that are not contiguous to the existing built-up area.
urban heat island
In large cities, expanses of paved surfaces, particularly asphalt, absorbs heat during day and radiates heat at night. Sparse vegetatation and paved surfaces increase rain runoff, furthering reducing cooling effects. Temperatures in the cities are usually
urban planning
determining and drawing up plans for the future physical arrangement and condition of a community