Question

1. how did the homestead act of 1862 encourage people to move west?
2. most of the impact on forests in the united states has been caused by the conversion of forests to what purpose?
3. diagram or describe below the following types of logging. please note the problems with each:

a. clear cutting:
b. high - grading (similar to selective cutting but more specific):

1. by the early 1900s, forest cover in the united states had declined from an estimated 46% to just ______%.
2. urban sprawl leads to habitat ____________.
3. how much of a forest’s biodiversity can be lost due to fragmentation?
4. forest fires that grow too large can have what negative impacts?

Explanation:

1. The Homestead Act of 1862 offered 160 - acre plots of public land to settlers who would improve and live on the land for five years, which was a major incentive for west - ward migration.
2. Most of the impact on forests in the United States has been due to conversion for agriculture, logging for timber, and urban development.

3a. Clear - cutting is the removal of all trees in an area. Problems include soil erosion, loss of habitat for wildlife, and disruption of the ecosystem.
3b. High - grading is the selective removal of the most valuable trees in a forest. This can lead to genetic degradation of the forest, as well as changes in forest structure and composition.

1. By the early 1900s, forest cover in the United States had declined from an estimated 46% to just 34%.
2. Urban sprawl leads to habitat fragmentation, which divides large, continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches.
3. Forest fragmentation can lead to the loss of up to 50% or more of a forest's biodiversity.
4. Large forest fires can have negative impacts such as destruction of wildlife habitat, air pollution, soil degradation, and loss of property.

Answer:

1. It offered 160 - acre plots of public land to settlers who would improve and live on the land for five years.
2. Agriculture, logging for timber, and urban development.

3a. Removal of all trees in an area. Problems: soil erosion, loss of wildlife habitat, ecosystem disruption.
3b. Selective removal of the most valuable trees. Problems: genetic degradation of forest, changes in forest structure and composition.

1. 34
2. Fragmentation
3. Up to 50% or more
4. Destruction of wildlife habitat, air pollution, soil degradation, loss of property.