Question

sustainable use is often defined as the use of natural resources at a rate that meets the needs of the present human population but which also allows future generations to use the resource to meet their needs. which of these best fits the concept of sustainable use? a. cover crops like clover are planted on farmland to increase nitrogen in soils and reduce the need of chemical fertilizers. b. a fishing trawler uses a large net to catch a school of small fish. c. a logging company plants one species of seedlings in a forest after a clearcut to decrease the time between harvesting. d. coal is mined using underground tunnels to avoid the destruction of surface soils by strip mining.

Explanation:

Sustainable use balances present and future resource needs. Let's analyze each option:

• Option A: Cover crops (like clover) increase soil nitrogen, reducing chemical fertilizers. This is sustainable as it improves soil health long - term and reduces environmental harm from fertilizers.
• Option B: Using a large net to catch a school of small fish can lead to overfishing, depleting fish populations and harming future generations' ability to use this resource. So it's not sustainable.
• Option C: Planting one species of seedlings after clear - cutting (monoculture reforestation) reduces biodiversity and makes the forest more vulnerable to pests/diseases, not a sustainable forestry practice.
• Option D: While underground coal mining avoids some surface soil destruction, coal is a non - renewable resource. Mining it, even underground, is not sustainable in the long run as the resource will be exhausted.

Answer:

A. Cover crops like clover are planted on farmland to increase nitrogen in soils and reduce the need of chemical fertilizers.