chapter 12 notes
Chapter 12
Land Use: Forests and Grasslands
Approx 11% of the Earths landmass is used for crops
World Forests
Regulate climate, control water runoff, provide shelter and food for wildlife, and purify the air
Rough estimates say that half the worlds original forests have been converted into crop land, pasture settlements or wasteland
Closed canopy forests
Open canopy forests
Old growth forests-contain the majority of biodiversity, endangered species and indigenous human cultures
Remoteness protects the majority of these forests, not laws
Forest Products
Wood plays the biggest part in the modern day economy than any other commodity
Global wood consumption has doubled in the last 50 years to 3.4 billion m^3 per year
Industrial lumber- make lumber, plywood, veneer, particleboard and chipboard
United States, Russia and Canada are the largest producers of wood in the world
Japan is the worlds largest importer
Fuelwood accounts for about half of all wood harvested worldwide
Forest Management-
about 25% of the worlds forests are managed scientifically for wood production
harvesting is not matched by planting for the majority
Clear cutting is one method that is cheap and efficient but cuts EVERYTHING
Diminishing Forests
Greatest losses of tropical forests were in Africa, 9-12 million ha of forest per year for ten years
Causes for Deforestation- 1.) make way for oil palm and fruit plantations 2.) forests burned to disguise illegal logging 3.) roads, and urban expansion
Swidden Agriculture is mistaken as detrimental but is good for fragile soil types and is when done correctly is very sustainable
Forest Protection
Preserves have been established in countries like Indonesia and Congo
Dept for Nation Swap
Troubles is that environmental, forest issues are controversial and contradict the previous tax breaks for cheap lumber for house builders
Rotational Grazing
Land Reform
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