The Planner’s Guide to Natural Resource Conservation: (eBook)

The Science of Land Development Beyond the Metropolitan Fringe

Adrian X. Esparza, Guy McPherson (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: PDF

2009 | 2009
XXII, 258 Seiten
Springer New York (Verlag)
978-0-387-98167-3 (ISBN)

Infos

Much of the country's recent population growth is situated in exurban areas. By many accounts exurbanization has become the dominant pattern of land development in the country and there is no indication it will slow in the foreseeable future (Theobald 2005; Brown et al. 2005; Glennon and Kretser 2005). By definition, exurban development takes place beyond the metropolitan fringe, often in rural and remote areas. The development of new exurban communities is a growing trend, especially in the West. In this case, developers and homebuilders seek large tracts of land, up to thousands of acres, in rural areas (typically within 50 miles of a large city) where they plan entire communities consisting of commercial, retail and residential land uses. Recreational amenities such as golf courses and hiking/biking trails are often included in these master-planned developments.

Our philosophy is reflected in the book's two objectives. First, we seek to document the extent and impacts of exurban development across the country. At issue is demonstrating why planners and the public-at-large should be concerned about exurbanization. We will demonstrate that even though exurbanization favors amenity rich regions, it affects all areas of the country through the loss of agricultural and grazing lands, impacts to watersheds and land modification. A summary of environmental impacts is presented, including the loss of wildlands and agricultural productivity, land modification, soil erosion, impacts to terrestrial hydrologic systems, the loss of biodiversity, nonnative and endangered species and other topics.

Our second aim is to provide readers from diverse (nonscientific) backgrounds with a working knowledge of how and why exurbanization impacts environmental systems. This is accomplished by working closely to ensure contributors follow a specific outline for each chapter. First, contributors will spell out fundamental concepts, principles and processes that apply to their area of expertise (e.g., riparian areas). Contributors will move beyond a cursory understanding of ecological processes without overwhelming readers with the dense material found typically in specialized texts. For this reason, visuals and other support materials will be integral to each chapter. We have chosen contributors carefully based on their record as research scientists and acumen as educators. Second, once the mechanics have been laid out, authors will explain how and why land development in nearby areas influences ecosystems. Issues of interdependency, modification and adaptation, spatial scale and varying time horizons will be featured. Third, contributors will weigh in on the pros and cons of various land-development schemes. Fourth, authors will share their thinking on the merits of conservation devices such as wildlife corridors, open-space requirements and watershed management districts. Finally, each chapter will conclude by identifying pitfalls to avoid and highlighting 'best practices' that will mitigate environmental problems or avoid them altogether. In sum, after completing each chapter, readers should have a firm grasp of relevant concepts and processes, an understanding of current research and know how to apply science to land-use decisions.

Adrian X. Esparza is Associate Professor in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Arizona (Ph.D. 1987, University of Illinois-Urbana). He taught previously in the School of Planning, College of Architecture at the University of Arizona. His research focuses on exurban land development in the southwest United States and urbanization in the United States-Mexico border region. He has published dozens of articles in the fields of urban and regional planning and regional science.

Guy McPherson is a Professor in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Arizona (Ph.D. 1987, Texas Tech University). He also worked for the University of Georgia, Texas A & M University, University of California-Berkeley, and The Nature Conservancy. His research focuses on development and application of ecological knowledge. His scholarly efforts have produced dozens of journal articles and eight books.

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Much of the country's recent population growth is situated in exurban areas. By many accounts exurbanization has become the dominant pattern of land development in the country and there is no indication it will slow in the foreseeable future (Theobald 2005; Brown et al. 2005; Glennon and Kretser 2005). By definition, exurban development takes place beyond the metropolitan fringe, often in rural and remote areas. The development of new exurban communities is a growing trend, especially in the West. In this case, developers and homebuilders seek large tracts of land, up to thousands of acres, in rural areas (typically within 50 miles of a large city) where they plan entire communities consisting of commercial, retail and residential land uses. Recreational amenities such as golf courses and hiking/biking trails are often included in these master-planned developments. Our philosophy is reflected in the book s two objectives. First, we seek to document the extent and impacts of exurban development across the country. At issue is demonstrating why planners and the public-at-large should be concerned about exurbanization. We will demonstrate that even though exurbanization favors amenity rich regions, it affects all areas of the country through the loss of agricultural and grazing lands, impacts to watersheds and land modification. A summary of environmental impacts is presented, including the loss of wildlands and agricultural productivity, land modification, soil erosion, impacts to terrestrial hydrologic systems, the loss of biodiversity, nonnative and endangered species and other topics. Our second aim is to provide readers from diverse (nonscientific) backgrounds with a working knowledge of how and why exurbanization impacts environmental systems. This is accomplished by working closely to ensure contributors follow a specific outline for each chapter. First, contributors will spell out fundamental concepts, principles and processes that applyto their area of expertise (e.g., riparian areas). Contributors will move beyond a cursory understanding of ecological processes without overwhelming readers with the dense material found typically in specialized texts. For this reason, visuals and other support materials will be integral to each chapter. We have chosen contributors carefully based on their record as research scientists and acumen as educators. Second, once the mechanics have been laid out, authors will explain how and why land development in nearby areas influences ecosystems. Issues of interdependency, modification and adaptation, spatial scale and varying time horizons will be featured. Third, contributors will weigh in on the pros and cons of various land-development schemes. Fourth, authors will share their thinking on the merits of conservation devices such as wildlife corridors, open-space requirements and watershed management districts. Finally, each chapter will conclude by identifying pitfalls to avoid and highlighting "e;best practices"e; that will mitigate environmental problems or avoid them altogether. In sum, after completing each chapter, readers should have a firm grasp of relevant concepts and processes, an understanding of current research and know how to apply science to land-use decisions.

Inhalt

Preface 6
References 8
Contents 11
Contributors 13
Contributor Biographical Sketches 15
Part I History and Fundamental Ecological Concepts 21
1 Exurbanization and Aldo Leopold's Human--LandCommunity 22
Introduction 22
Colonization and the HumanLand Community 23
Land, Cities, and Conservation in the 19th Century 26
The Industrial City, Conservation, and Regional Planning 29
Birth of the Conservation and Preservation Movements 31
Regional Planning, Conservation, and the New Deal 32
Suburbs, Planning, and Environmentalism in the Post War Years 34
Environmentalism and Conservation Since the 1970s 37
Exurban Growth and Housing Markets 39
Conclusion 41
References 41
2 Fundamental Concepts in Ecology 46
Introduction 46
A Role for Ecology? 48
Ecological Concepts 49
Expertise and Opportunities Beyond the Fringe 53
Conclusion 54
References 55
3 Climate Change and Ecology in Rural Lands 57
Introduction 57
Some Climate Change Basics 58
How Land Use and Management Interact with Climate Change 60
How Climate Change Affects Land Management 61
Conclusion 70
References 71
Part II Exurban Land Development, Habitat, and Wildlife 75
4 Biodiversity and Residential Development Beyondthe Urban Fringe 76
Introduction 76
Conceptual Framework 77
The Literature Survey 78
The Different Effects of Exurban Development on Biodiversity 79
Habitat Loss 79
Landscape Fragmentation 88
Perforation Effects 89
Land-Use Effects 90
Clustered Housing 91
Threshold Effects and Housing Densities 92
Changes in Fire Regimes 92
Exurban Development of Cattle Ranches 93
Research Needs 94
Gather More Data 94
Determine Cause and Effect 95
Broaden Taxonomic and Ecosystem Coverage 95
Conduct More Work on Thresholds and Clustered Developments 95
Conduct More Studies on Effects of Subdividing Western Ranches 96
Conclusion: Tentative Guidelines for Planners and Developers 96
Keep Housing Densities Low 96
Plan for Large-Scale Mixed-Use Landscapes 96
Reward Minimal Land Management and Land Use 97
Advocate for an Exurban Land Ethic 97
References 98
5 Wildlife Corridors and Developed Landscapes 102
Introduction 102
Background 103
Fragmentation: Causes and Consequences Revisited 104
Connectivity and Metapopulation Dynamics: Separate but Linked 105
Patches and Corridors: Definitions and Concepts 107
Related Issues 109
SLOSS: The ''Single Large or Several Small'' Debate 109
The Matrix: What Lies Between 110
A Word About Edges: Not All Bad, Not All Good 111
Corridors and the Planning Process 112
Some Examples: Putting Corridors to Work on the Land 112
Yellowstone to Yukon, Central United States and Canada 113
Quabbin to Cardigan, Central New England 114
The Rewilding Institute 114
International Corridor Projects 114
Some Advice for Planners: Incorporating Conservation into Planning 115
Conclusion 116
References 117
6 Exurban Land Development and Breeding Birds 120
Introduction 120
Concepts 121
Habitat 121
Vegetation 121
General Effects of Exurban Development on Birds 122
Challenges Posed by Exurban Land Development 124
Collisions 124
Electrocution 124
Predators 125
Human Disturbance 125
Poison 125
Management Strategies 125
Clustered Housing 126
Maintaining Connectivity 127
Golf Course Design 128
Reducing Electrocution 128
Reducing Window Strikes 128
Reducing Human Disturbance, Predation, and Poisoning 129
Conclusion 129
References 130
7 Integrating Wildlife Conservation into Land-Use Plans for Rapidly Growing Cities 133
Introduction 133
Historical Background: Wildlife Conservation on Urban and Suburban Lands 134
Importance of Wildlife and Wildlife Habitats in Metropolitan Environments 137
Habitat Conservation Plans 138
The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan 139
Managing the Social and Political Dimensions of the Land-Use Planning Process 141
Conclusion 144
References 145
8 Into the Wild: Vegetation, Alien Plants, and Familiar Fire at the Exurban Frontier 148
Introduction 148
Plant Habitat 150
Plant Species 151
Structure 155
Ecological Processes 156
Social and Economic Impacts 159
Forest Considerations 161
Rangeland Considerations 163
Desert Considerations 164
Conclusion 165
References 168
Part III Water Resources, Wetlands, and Storm Water Management 172
9 Impacts of Exurban Development on Water Quality 173
Introduction 173
Review of Urban and Exurban Land-Use Impacts on Water Quality 174
Water Quality Assessments and Sources 175
Organic Contaminants 176
Nutrients 184
Metals 184
Sedimentation 185
Summary of Urban Land-Use Impacts 186
Land-Use Impacts and Watershed Planning: The Russian River Basin, California 186
Conclusion 188
References 190
10 Preparing for Human Expansion into Exurban RiparianAreas 194
Introduction 194
Guiding Principles 196
Principle 1: Review the Science 196
Principle 2: Understanding the Regional Planning and Regulatory Context 200
Principle 3: Conduct Long-range Regional Planning for Exurban Riparian Areas 204
Principle 4: Mobilize Conservation Resources 206
Principle 5: Assess and Make Decisions about Specific Sites 206
Principle 6: Learn from Existing and New Development Sites and Adapt Sites as Needed 209
Conclusion 210
References 210
11 Storm Water Management in Exurbia 212
Introduction 212
The Exurban Context 213
Storm Water 214
Problems 214
Building Footprints Effects 215
Siting of Homes and Other Structures 218
Roads and Infrastructure Placement 218
Associated Land Uses 220
Water Development 220
Attitudes Toward Flood Control 221
Regulatory Framework 221
Structural, Nonstructural, and No-Action Floodplain Management 222
Conclusion 224
References 224
Part IV Science-Based Planning in Exurban Areas 227
12 A Science-Based Approach to Regional Conservation Planning 228
Introduction 228
Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan 230
Planning Area 231
A Process for Large-Scale Conservation Planning 232
Goals and Guidelines 235
Modeling Potential Habitat 237
Conservation Lands System 239
Riparian Areas as a Foundation for Connectivity 241
From Conservation Planning to Conservation Reality 242
Conclusion 243
References 243
13 Mitigating Environmental Problems in Exurban Development: An Overview of Rural-Specific Planning Devices 245
Introduction 245
The Rural Land-Use Planning Context 247
Devices Used to Affect Open Space 250
Collectivization Devices 250
Regulatory Devices 252
Voluntary Devices 253
Educational Devices 256
Rural Land-Use Planning and Conservation in South-Central Wisconsin 256
The Sauk County PDR Program 258
Conclusion 260
References 261
Index 264

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 12.6.2009
• Zusatzinfo: XXII, 258 p.
• Verlagsort: New York
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Botanik
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Ökologie / Naturschutz
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Zoologie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften ► Geografie / Kartografie
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Politik / Verwaltung
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Schlagworte: biodiversity • Ecology • ecosystem • Environment • sustainability • Temperature • Urban Development • Vegetation • wetland
• ISBN-10: 0-387-98167-5 / 0387981675
• ISBN-13: 978-0-387-98167-3 / 9780387981673