Land Use Review

Forests cover one-third of Earth’s landmass. These ecosystems all provide vital ecological and economic services. Why might it be more difficult to convince the human population of the value of a forest’s ecological services as opposed to the value of its economic services?

• Ecological services cannot be monetarily estimated.

• Ecological services are not easily observed by the average human.

• Ecological services detail the cost of use on the environment.

• Ecological services are only a focus of less developed economies

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Harvesting wood from forests is one the top industries in the world. There are various ways for loggers to harvest this wood. Which of the following would provide the best sustainable use of the land?

• Strip cutting the trees because only mature trees are cut

• Clear cutting the trees because it is the most cost effective method

• Clear cutting the trees because it produces the greatest timber yield

• Strip cutting the trees because it minimizes widespread destruction

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Governments and other political practices can help make a shift toward more sustainable land use and management. Which of the following best explains how this can be achieved?

• Remove subsidies and tax breaks that support deforestation

• Encourage logging in mature tropical rainforests

• Remove most standing dead trees and large fallen trees

• Encourage the use of tropical rainforests for economic value

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Overgrazing reduces grass cover and negatively impacts the soil health by reducing its ability to hold water. How can overgrazing be prevented and support a more sustainable use of grasslands?

• Allow developers to buy ranchlands for housing.

• Practice moving confined cattle every few days

• Allow unlimited animals to graze in a given area to reach carrying capacity.

• Practice grazing an area of land at the same stage of plant growth each year.

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How can the health of a forest play a role in maintaining human health?

• Forest can be a source of mining.

• Forest provide pulp to make paper

• Medicines are made from forest species.

• Forest provide numerous wildlife habitats.

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Deforestation in countries, like Brazil, have also caused a threat to human health. Which of the following best associates deforestation to a threat for human health in Brazil?

• Illegal trade of wild species across borders in Brazil

• Increase of malaria due to less tree cover in the Amazon rainforest

• Hunting of wild game for food in the Amazon rainforest

• Contamination of meat due to industrial production practices in Brazil

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Button cell batteries are used in small portable electronic devices such as watches, cameras, digital thermometers, calculators and toys. Though there are no federal regulations prohibiting throwing button cell batteries in the regular garbage, they should be recycled. What is the best explanation for why these batteries should be recycled?

• They contain mercury that if leaked into environment can threaten human health

• They are no longer in use due to more advanced technology practices

• They absorb heat that can lead to forest fires if released and damage ecosystems

• They are intended for military and medical equipment that need a long life.

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Landfills help to isolate trash from the surrounding environment. To prevent groundwater contamination, landfills practice which of the following waste management practices?

• They are located far from populated areas

• They are covered with cement.

• They are lined with plastics and clay soil.

• They are located on slopes for water to run downhill

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In landfills, bacteria in the landfill break down the trash in the absence of oxygen. This process produces landfill gas that is mostly methane. Which of the following is the best use of the removed gas?

• Trap underground

• Release into the air

• Collect in glass containers

• Burn as a fuel to generate electricity

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Incinerating (burning) solid waste is one way in which humans manage waste on Earth. While incinerating can provide advantages, it also has disadvantages. Which of the following is a disadvantage of incinerating solid waste?

• Reduces trash volume

• Energy is produced from the process

• Greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere

• Concentrates hazardous substances into ash for burial

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