chapter 10Review
In this chapter we have looked at issues involving human use of land. The tragedy of the commons suggests that common-
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Module 29 Land Use Concepts and Classification
Explain how human land use affects the environment.
Individuals have no incentive to conserve common resources when they do not bear the cost of using those resources. A cost or benefit not included in the price of a good is an externality. The lack of incentive to conserve common resources leads to the overuse of these resources, which may be degraded if their use is not regulated. The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) is the largest amount of a renewable resource that can be harvested indefinitely. Harvesting at the MSY keeps the resource population at about one-
Describe the various categories of public land used globally and in the United States.
In the United States, public land is managed for multiple uses, including grazing, timber harvesting, recreation, and wildlife conservation. The Bureau of Land Management manages rangeland, which is used for grazing. The United States Forest Service manages national forests, which are used for timber harvesting, recreation, and other uses.
Module 30 Land Management Practices
Explain specific land management practices for rangelands and forests.
Rangelands are grazed by cattle and sheep and need to be managed to prevent overgrazing. Timber can be harvested by clear-
Describe contemporary problems in residential land use and some potential solutions.
Causes of urban sprawl include the development of the automobile, construction of highways, less expensive land at the urban fringe, and urban blight. Government institutions and policies, such as the federal Highway Trust Fund, zoning, and subsidized mortgages, have also contributed to the problem. The result of urban sprawl is automobile dependence, traffic congestion, and social isolation, including less involvement in community affairs. Smart growth is one possible response to urban sprawl. It advocates more compact, mixed-