APES: Greatest Good & Tragedy of the Commons

What is "good" and how is "good" determined in nature?

"Good" is something different to each person. In order for something to be good someone needs to need the limited or unlimited resource.

Why did San Fransisco need a new water source and where did they get it from? Why was this so controversial?

Because of the earthquake, they built a dam in the Hetch Hetchy valley. This was controversial because Hetcch Hetchy was a national park. It was controversial between Conservationists and Preservationists because this was never done before.

What was important about the Bitterroot and the Monongahela National Forests?

Bitterroot-clear cutting on a hill side and then try racing to slow the water. Gifford Pinchot felt angry forests were being tarred apart. Monongahela- removed less quality trees, clear cutting and planting desired trees. The public was mad because it's ugly. People were mad because turkeys were also gone. The Organic Forest Act of 1897-dead, mature, or large growth of trees shall be marked designated. Turkey hunters sued and won the law suit.

Who is Bob Marshall and what is his passion in regards to forests?

Bob Marshall was an obsessive hiker. Motive for modern forest idea, expanded wilderness areas. He became a forest director for the National Forest Service.

What is the most effective way of governing commercial timber and why?

Clear cutting, replanting in rows, and shorter rotation cycles.

What is old-growth?

Climax big species lots of material high biodiversity.

What is NEPA?

National Environmental Policy Act created in 1970. before any large project needs other people to study it and make sure it is ok for use.

What was the greatest good?

Wood because many people had multiple uses for wood.

After WWII why was the timber in the forest service needed?

Wood was a significant component needed in war. It was also needed to make homes because of the Baby Boom.

When was the Wilderness Act established? What did it say?

1964 establishment of a wilderness program through congress. They say areas remain untouched wilderness preservation no roads, digging, cutting.

What is a Rain Shadow?

A rain shadow is a dry area on the lee side of a mountainous area (away from the wind). The mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems and cast a "shadow" of dryness behind them. rain-> snow->dry land and then it continues that way.

What is Tragedy of the Commons?

An economic problem in which every individual tries to reap the greatest benefit from a given resource. As the demand for the resource overwhelms the supply, every individual who consumes an additional unit directly harms others who can no longer enjoy the benefits. Generally, the resource of interest is easily available to all individuals.

What is an aquifer?

An underground layer of rock or earth which holds groundwater. An aquifer fills with water from rain or melted snow that drains into the ground. In some areas, the water passes through the soil on top of the aquifer; in others, it enters through joints and cracks in rocks. The water moves downward until it meets less permeable rock. Aquifers act as reservoirs for groundwater.

What does the term "Wise Use" Refer too?

Conservation

What is the difference between Conservation and Preservation?

Conservation-the use of resources (wise use) Preservation-leaving forests untouched

What is Earth First and why was it formed?

Earth First is a group who protested clearcutting and tiber/logging. Civil disobedience used to stop environmental destruction. Greenpeace-civil disisobedience- silent spring

Who is Gifford Pinchot and what are some things he did in regards to forestry? What type of worldview is this?

Family made crazy money off of lumber. His family realized there might be a "timber famine". Family sent Gifford to Yale to study and help preserve resources. Basically gave him a profession. He was the first U.S. president of the Forest Service.

Why is it important that the name "Forest Reserves" was changed to the "National Forests", who was instrumental in changing the name?

Forest Reserves was under the department of the Interior. Important because reserve means withdraw and national is to serve the people which is the purpose of this land. The change was mainly by Gifford Pinchot.

Why is grazing a concern of the Forest Service? How did grazers respond to the initial laws limiting grazing?

Grazers can let animals graze on National Forest Land. This became an issue because more cattle grazed, and the grass would begin to decrease. Didn't think forest service could do this. Mad because they didn't want to pay.

What does Hardin mean by "mutual coercion, naturally agreed upon"?

Hardin is saying laws can't just be made to help the commons, but they need to be agreed upon by the people.

What does Hardin mean that morality is "system sensitive"? Give an example.

Hardin is saying that our society is used to a complex government and a very populated society, but it is a poor way of governing to force laws on people even if they don't want the laws.

What did FDR do to put the focus back on the forests? What did he do that was not environmentally friendly?

He created government programs for the conservation of forests. He also created the civilian conservation crew to create jobs and rebuild forests, cut fire breaks.

Who was Aldo Leopold? What was his background? What was his "view" in terms of forests and wildlife? What were his accomplishments? Did his "view" change and if so how?

He started the wilderness society and worked for the national forest service in 1909. He was an avid hunter. He got his job in AZ and started a wildlife biology at UW Madison. He was considered the best of 20th century conservationists. He taught forestry in Utilitarian way (use the land). Leopold was a proponent wilderness which congress didn't take into consideration until 1964. Began ecological restoration this was never done before. Wrote the Sand County Almanac. He also wrote the Land Ethic which is his most famous essay.

Who is John Muir? What did he do? What was his philosophy in terms of use of the National Forests?

He was Scottish and settled in WI He created the Sierra club. Was a preservationist who wanted to help the national forest.

What does Hardin mean by "freedom in a common brings ruin to all"?

If people have unlimited freedoms regarding unlimited resources then we fail as a society.

Where did the expertise and knowledge to manage forests come from? Where was the first forestry school developed in the U.S.?

It came from European people who have studied forestry and either came to the U.S. or passed their knowledge along (Gifford Pinchot). The first Forestry school was developed at Yale.

Hardin argues that the Earth's resources are finite. What does he mean by this?

It means that the resources will eventually run out and that we do not have unlimited resources.

What were the first settlers of the United States attitudes toward the forests?

The Europeans wanted to clear the land to farm and create civilization. The settlers thought the forests were limitless and in the way of exploring the land.

What was so remarkable about the Forest Reserve Act of 1891? What did the Reserve Act state?

The Forest Reserve Act stated the president of the U.S. may set a part and reserve public land bearing forests as a public reservations with the homestead act the gov't tried to get rid of land and how they are keeping it.

What does Hardin mean by a "dilemma" with "no technical solution"?

The dilemma with no technical solution is that the problem has a technical solution. The increase in population and use of too many resources won't be solved with science or technology.

What event took place that leveled a good amount of the national forest? What was a positive of this event?

The eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Volcanic hot air and steam melted the snow and water rushed down valleys, and 150 feet of ash and stuff covered houses and feet. Leveled everything. Foresters were able to study primary succession still some organisms, study how landscapes recover.

What is the Commons?

The resource all the people are using

What happened to the trees in the U.S?

The settlers thought what was limitless would never become limited but it did.

What was the "timber Famine"?

The timber famine was when too much wood was used so there was a shortage in the 1890's. The settlers were clear cutting because they thought they would never run out of trees.

What is the tragedy?

The tragedy is too many people using the same resource.

What two variables is Hardin referring to in the case of population growth? What does he mean when he says that you cannot maximize two variables simultaneously?

The two variables are people and resources. The problem is it is not possible to maximize both resources at the same time. If the population and resources go up, the population will continue to go up, but the resources will eventually run out.

What president was very conscious about preserving the national forest land?

Theodore Rosevelt was conscious about preserving land even though he was a big gammer.

The forest service changed from the Department of Interior to the Department of Agriculture. What do each of these departments oversee in our federal government?

These Departments mainly oversee the National forests. Other things they oversee are soil, crops, agriculture, and parks systems.

What is the purpose of a fire line?

To provide a space between the forest and the fire so it can't spread throughout the entire forest.