Pennsylvania's Natural Resources

Paper Summary:

The writer of this paper clearly details the ecological and environmental makeup of Pennsylvania, while also supplying relevant data and statistics regarding the state's economy. Due to the abundant supply of ore and hardwoods for furnaces, iron smelting became important in the 18th century and by the 19th century, Pennsylvania became the nation's leading steel producer. Although the state still manufactures metal products, chemicals and transportation equipment, this paper describes how heavy industry has declined in recent years. This paper delves into Pennsylvania's rich history while citing several major events. Pennsylvania has also been the site for some of America's most horrendous ecological disasters. In 1889, the South Fork Dam gave way after a heavy rain and destroyed the downstream factory town of Johnstown, killing over 2,000 people in what has come to be known as the notorious Johnstown Flood. The first oil well in the U.S. was drilled in Pennsylvania in 1859. Pennsylvania became a leader in the U.S. iron industry during the days of the American Revolution. This paper also discusses the fact that Pennsylvania spends a disproportionate share of development money on outlying areas while abandoning established communities, just one of the reasons why Pennsylvania still has a long way to go before it will be a sustainable state.

From the Paper:

"Pennsylvania's state forest system includes sixty-one special natural areas and fourteen wild areas that are set aside to "protect unique or unusual biologic, geologic, scenic and historic features, or to showcase outstanding examples of Pennsylvania's major forest communities." Generally speaking, sustainable forestry is defined as protecting the long-term health and viability of forests by using management techniques that value "all uses of the forests," thus, protecting the forest "ecosystem, recreation, clean water, and the production of timber for current and future generations." Pennsylvania employs sustainable forestry practices of its 2.1 million acres of state forestlands. In 1998 and 1999, a team of scientists praised Pennsylvania's commitment to its forests and its "exemplary practices and innovation in managing forest resources."

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