land use Flashcards
worldwide uses of land
forest, agriculture, shrubland, grassland, cities, water, wetlands
US use of land
1950- 13,000 square miles urbanized today- more than 60,000 square miles urbanized
urban sprawl
multifaceted concept centered on the expansion of auto-oriented, low-density development. began at the end of WWII. loans encouraged the development of single-family, detached houses in the suburbs, federal aid highway act of 1956. rate of 1.2 million acres per year.
potential solutions to the urban sprawl
proposed by the sierra club, open space protection-protecting farms and wild places, land use planning-growth management acts, community revitalization, transportation-switching from highway building to bike paths, buses and rail lines.
No till farming
planting is done through the residues of previous plantings. excellent for erosion control, soil moisture conservation and has minimum fuel and labor costs. disadvantages are no incorporation, increased dependence on herbicides and slow soil warming on poorly drained soils.
till farming
till to a depth of 8 to 12 inches, disked twice to prepare seedbeds before planting.
crop rotation
improves soil nutrient levels and breaks crop pest cycles. reduces production risks through diversification.
rotational grazing
livestock strategically moved to fresh partitioned pastures to allow previously grazed pastures to regenerate. more efficient use of forages, reduced weeds, improves nutrient distribution. disadvantages are active management of livestock and startup costs.
CRP program
began in 1985 by Ronald Regan, helped counteract grain overproduction and preservation of draining soil of nutrients. areas that qualify for CRP are wetland restoration, timber on established wetlands, habitat for upland birds, long leaf pine, duck nesting, highly erodible land, farmable wetland. approved by FSA (farm service agency
