Land use #6 Rangelands Flashcards
Define
Rangelands
Dry, open grasslands used for grazing of cattle; Normally not fenced in.
Types of Meat Production
Feedalots & Free Range
Feedalots (CAFOs)
Densely crowded method where animals are fed grain (corn) to raise them as quickly as possible.
economical
Feedalots
Manure Lagoons
Large, open storage pits for animal waste (manure)
Can get humans sick if consumed
Waste contains: ammonia (NH3), hormones, antibiotics, fecal coliform bacteria (e. coli)
Freerange
Animals (usually cows) graze on grass & grow at a natural rate without growth hormones
Enviromental
pros and cons
Freerange
Pros-Low density = no need for antibiotics
No need for high volumes of corn
Waste dispersed naturally over land
Acts as a fertilizer instead of building up in lagoons
Cons- Requires more total land use per pound of meat produced
More expensive for consumers
pros and cons
CAFO (feedalots)
Pros- Maximizes land use
Maximizes profit
Minimizes cost of meat for consumers
Cons-Maximizes land use
Maximizes profit
Minimizes cost of meat for consumers
Overgrazing
Carrying capacity of cattle is exceeded and the land is overused, causing long-term soil damage
cons
Overgrazing
Exposed land increases erosion
Damaged soil cannot retain water easily
Could remove habitats used by other animals
More animals would be needed in feedlots
Pollution of surface waters
Define
Seed Dissemination
movement, spread or transport of seeds away from the parent plant.
ex dandelions flying around or seeds in apples