Unit 6: Land & Water Use

Review

Give an example of the Tragedy of the Commons that involves livestock.

• Overgrazing of public land, etc.

About what percentage of water on Earth is freshwater?

• 3% (acceptable range: 2.5 – 3.5)

A county in Florida plans to use the strategy of mitigation for a particular wetland. Explain this strategy.

• Fill one wetland and create another new wetland, usually because of expansion of industry or other development.

Why has there been decline in the catch of fish globally over the past couple decades?

• Overfishing

A coal mining company plans to use the strategy of reclamation. Explain this strategy.

• Reclamation means that mined land is returned to the best possible condition for use after mining is completed.

What percentage of water is available for immediate use?

• Less than 1%

What’s the major benefit of using drip irrigation?

• Decreased evaporation of water

How would clear-cutting lead to a decrease in biodiversity?

• Clear cutting is the most destructive form of commercial forestry that leads to a fragmented landscape.

Give an example of natural capital that is managed by the US Forest Service.

• Lumber (wood)• Fresh water• Metal ores (Iron, copper, etc.)

What is a floodplain?

• Area of low-lying ground adjacent to a river; floods often

Give one reason why humans historically have settled in floodplains.

• Close to rivers for transportation• Terrain is flat• Soil is fertile

What is monoculture forestry?

• Practice of growing a single species of tree in one area

What is agroforestry?

• Combines trees with shrubs and crops to create a more diverse, productive, and sustainable system

The largest use of water in the entire US is used for cooling power plants. However, in the western US the largest use of water is _____________.

• Irrigation

Where is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world located? (Name of River and Country)

• Yangtze River, China

What is the process of Desalination? Which region of the world uses this process the most?

• Producing freshwater by removing salt from ocean water

• Middle East (Saudi Arabia dry climate; rich country)

Give two major end uses of barrels of oil?

• Petroleum fuel products: transportation, heating, to produce electricity

• Nonfuel products: oils, wax, asphalt• Petrochemical: plastics, rubbers, fibers,

pesticides

Other than agriculture and recreation, what are two benefits of dams?

• Hydroelectric power – reduces air pollution• Flood control• Storage of water • Increase ability to navigate waterway with

ships• Stimulate economy w/employment for

construction, maintenance

What are two conservation methods for reducing water consumption in agriculture?

• Drip irrigation• Select/Breed crops that are more efficient, drought

tolerant• Irrigate at night to reduce evaporation• Monitor soil moisture to reduce unnecessary irrigation• Increase organic content in soil• Use windbreaks• Reduce runoff by contour planting, strip cropping,

terracing, etc.• Cover surface with mulch to reduce evaporation• Reduce meat consumption