Study Guide for Exam 2

Open Land

Why are open lands important?

What are some of the impacts of population growth on open lands?

- What is happening in developing countries vs. the US on open lands?

Have a general understanding of the history of Land Use in the US and its impacts.

- Settlement by colonists

-Homestead Act

-Mining Act

-Transcontinental Railroad

Conservation vs. Preservation - what is the difference?

    -What was Theodore Roosevelt - a conservationist, or a preservationist?

    - What were some of the key programs that Roosevelt instituted?

What was "The Dust Bowl"

When did it occur?

What were some of the impacts.

Related to that... New Deal Conservation- 

Under who's presidency did this fall?

Be familiar with the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Have a General Understanding of the 4 Key Agencies in the US Government that Manage Open Lands

-Forest Service

Fish and Wildlife Service

-Bureau of Land Management

-National Park Service

What are some of the primary uses for forests and woodlands?

    -How does this differ between developed and developing countries?

    -What are some of the products that we get from forests and woodlands?

What are some of the ways in which forests/woodlands are managed?

    -What is clearcutting and what negative impacts can it have on the land and surrounding ecosystem?

    - What are some of the pluses and minuses of selective cutting and tree farms?

 What is meant by Sustainable Forest Management?

What are some of the primary uses for grassland areas?

-What is pastoralism?

-What is desertification?

Where is the majority of rangeland in the US?

Hydrology: Chapter 12: p. 249-251, p. 260-268

What is the hydrologic cycle? (have a general understanding of how water cycles within the Earth system).

How is freshwater distributed (glaciers, groundwater, etc.)

Why are streams important/why do we develop near streams?

What is a levee and what are some of the impacts of building levees?

What is a watershed/drainage basin?

What is meant by the term 100 year flood?

Why do we build near streams in the US as opposed to why people settle near rivers in developing countries?

Have an understanding of some of the complexities of watershed management - ie. Mississippi River, Tigres River, and Indus River examples

What is an aquifer?

What type of sediment/groundcover makes a good aquifer? 

How are aquifers "recharged".

What impact does development have on groundwater recharge?

What are some sources of groundwater pollution?

What is saltwater intrusion?

What is/are the source(s) of water in Southern CA?

What is a wetland?

Where do wetlands form?

Why are wetlands important?

What has happened to wetlands in this country?

Be familiar with the Bolsa Chica Wetland example.