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Images of Land Management in Our WorldImages of Land Management in Our World

Something to Think AboutSomething to Think About This is a picture taken in an This is a picture taken in an

old-growth forest in Ohio. old-growth forest in Ohio. Ohio contains about 41,000 Ohio contains about 41,000 square miles of land. Less square miles of land. Less than three of these square than three of these square miles still contain old-miles still contain old-growth forests. growth forests. Click hereClick here to learn more about old-to learn more about old-growth forests.growth forests.

Something to Think AboutSomething to Think About This is a picture taken in an This is a picture taken in an

old-growth forest in Ohio. old-growth forest in Ohio. Ohio contains about 41,000 Ohio contains about 41,000 square miles of land. Less square miles of land. Less than three of these square than three of these square miles still contain old-miles still contain old-growth forests. growth forests. Click hereClick here to learn more about old-to learn more about old-growth forests.growth forests.

Something to Think AboutSomething to Think About Large tracts of forested land Large tracts of forested land

in the U.S. are managed by in the U.S. are managed by companies that provide the companies that provide the products we use every day. products we use every day. These tracts of land may be These tracts of land may be planted with fast-growing planted with fast-growing softwood evergreen trees for softwood evergreen trees for paper and lumber, or slower paper and lumber, or slower growing hardwood trees such growing hardwood trees such as maple, walnut, and oak as maple, walnut, and oak for furniture and other for furniture and other hardwood products.hardwood products.

Something to Think AboutSomething to Think About Sometimes the desire for Sometimes the desire for

cheap energy leads to the cheap energy leads to the destruction of forest destruction of forest ecosystems. This picture ecosystems. This picture shows the results of shows the results of mountaintop coal mountaintop coal removal—deforestation, removal—deforestation, ecosystem destruction, ecosystem destruction, and contamination of and contamination of headwaters from which headwaters from which our drinking water flows. our drinking water flows. Can we come up with a Can we come up with a better way?better way?

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Trees and other plants Trees and other plants take in carbon dioxide take in carbon dioxide and convert it to oxygen and convert it to oxygen during photosynthesis. during photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide (Carbon dioxide (COCO22) ) levels are currently rising levels are currently rising worldwide. This trend is worldwide. This trend is causing a gradual causing a gradual warming of the planet. warming of the planet. What can be done to What can be done to reverse this trend?reverse this trend?

Something to Think AboutSomething to Think About Just over 200 years ago Just over 200 years ago

old-growth forests covered old-growth forests covered 95% of Ohio. It is said that a 95% of Ohio. It is said that a squirrel could climb a tree at squirrel could climb a tree at one end of the state and walk one end of the state and walk from limb to limb until it from limb to limb until it crossed the state. Since 1910 crossed the state. Since 1910 our forests are rebounding. our forests are rebounding. 31% of the state is currently 31% of the state is currently forested; 87% of these forested; 87% of these forests are owned privately. forests are owned privately. How much forest should we How much forest should we have to sustain our have to sustain our environment? environment?

Something to Think AboutSomething to Think About Tropical rainforest Tropical rainforest

ecosystems have tremendous ecosystems have tremendous biodiversity. They are also biodiversity. They are also one of the most effective one of the most effective ecosystems for absorbing ecosystems for absorbing greenhouse gases such as greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. This aerial carbon dioxide. This aerial photo shows photo shows deforestation deforestation in a rainforest region in a rainforest region of Bolivia (South America). of Bolivia (South America). Do you think this area is Do you think this area is being managed sustainably?being managed sustainably?

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Natural forest ecosystems Natural forest ecosystems and managed forests like and managed forests like the one pictured (below) the one pictured (below) can have very different can have very different levels of biodiversity in levels of biodiversity in plant and animal species. plant and animal species. Every living thing is Every living thing is interconnected in ways interconnected in ways we are only beginning we are only beginning to understand.to understand.

Something to Think AboutSomething to Think About This is an example of a well-managed tree This is an example of a well-managed tree

farm in Virginia. This farm is certified by the farm in Virginia. This farm is certified by the American Tree Farm System (American Tree Farm System (ATFSATFS) as a farm ) as a farm that provides a number of habitats for wildlife that provides a number of habitats for wildlife while sustainably producing wood. while sustainably producing wood.

Something to Think AboutSomething to Think About Humans are the only species that have the Humans are the only species that have the

power to change, destroy, or preserve entire power to change, destroy, or preserve entire ecosystems through their choices. What can ecosystems through their choices. What can you and I do each day to reduce our impact? you and I do each day to reduce our impact?