McPherson The Planner's Guide to Natural Resource Conservation:

The Science of Land Development Beyond the Metropolitan Fringe
1. Auflage 2009
ISBN: 978-0-387-98167-3
Verlag: Springer-Verlag
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 258 Seiten

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.

Autoren/Hrsg.

McPherson, Guy

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1; Preface;6
1.1; References;8
2;Contents;11
3; Contributors;13
4; Contributor Biographical Sketches;15
5;Part I History and Fundamental Ecological Concepts;21
5.1;1 Exurbanization and Aldo Leopold's Human--LandCommunity;22
5.1.1; Introduction;22
5.1.2; Colonization and the HumanLand Community;23
5.1.3; Land, Cities, and Conservation in the 19th Century;26
5.1.4; The Industrial City, Conservation, and Regional Planning;29
5.1.4.1; Birth of the Conservation and Preservation Movements;31
5.1.4.2; Regional Planning, Conservation, and the New Deal;32
5.1.5; Suburbs, Planning, and Environmentalism in the Post War Years;34
5.1.6; Environmentalism and Conservation Since the 1970s;37
5.1.7; Exurban Growth and Housing Markets;39
5.1.8; Conclusion;41
5.1.9;References;41
5.2;2 Fundamental Concepts in Ecology;46
5.2.1; Introduction;46
5.2.2; A Role for Ecology?;48
5.2.2.1; Ecological Concepts;49
5.2.3; Expertise and Opportunities Beyond the Fringe;53
5.2.4; Conclusion;54
5.2.5;References;55
5.3;3 Climate Change and Ecology in Rural Lands;57
5.3.1; Introduction;57
5.3.2; Some Climate Change Basics;58
5.3.3;How Land Use and Management Interact with Climate Change;60
5.3.4; How Climate Change Affects Land Management;61
5.3.5; Conclusion;70
5.3.6;References;71
6;Part II Exurban Land Development, Habitat, and Wildlife;75
6.1;4 Biodiversity and Residential Development Beyondthe Urban Fringe;76
6.1.1; Introduction;76
6.1.2; Conceptual Framework;77
6.1.3; The Literature Survey;78
6.1.3.1; The Different Effects of Exurban Development on Biodiversity;79
6.1.3.1.1; Habitat Loss;79
6.1.3.1.2; Landscape Fragmentation;88
6.1.3.1.3; Perforation Effects;89
6.1.3.1.4; Land-Use Effects;90
6.1.3.1.5; Clustered Housing;91
6.1.3.1.6; Threshold Effects and Housing Densities;92
6.1.3.1.7; Changes in Fire Regimes;92
6.1.3.1.8; Exurban Development of Cattle Ranches;93
6.1.4; Research Needs;94
6.1.4.1; Gather More Data;94
6.1.4.2; Determine Cause and Effect;95
6.1.4.3; Broaden Taxonomic and Ecosystem Coverage;95
6.1.4.4; Conduct More Work on Thresholds and Clustered Developments;95
6.1.4.5; Conduct More Studies on Effects of Subdividing Western Ranches;96
6.1.5; Conclusion: Tentative Guidelines for Planners and Developers;96
6.1.5.1; Keep Housing Densities Low;96
6.1.5.2; Plan for Large-Scale Mixed-Use Landscapes;96
6.1.5.3; Reward Minimal Land Management and Land Use;97
6.1.5.4; Advocate for an Exurban Land Ethic;97
6.1.6;References;98
6.2;5 Wildlife Corridors and Developed Landscapes;102
6.2.1; Introduction;102
6.2.2; Background;103
6.2.2.1; Fragmentation: Causes and Consequences Revisited;104
6.2.2.2; Connectivity and Metapopulation Dynamics: Separate but Linked;105
6.2.2.3; Patches and Corridors: Definitions and Concepts;107
6.2.3; Related Issues;109
6.2.3.1; SLOSS: The ''Single Large or Several Small'' Debate;109
6.2.3.2; The Matrix: What Lies Between;110
6.2.3.3; A Word About Edges: Not All Bad, Not All Good;111
6.2.4; Corridors and the Planning Process;112
6.2.4.1; Some Examples: Putting Corridors to Work on the Land;112
6.2.4.1.1; Yellowstone to Yukon, Central United States and Canada;113
6.2.4.1.2; Quabbin to Cardigan, Central New England;114
6.2.4.1.3; The Rewilding Institute;114
6.2.4.1.4; International Corridor Projects;114
6.2.4.2; Some Advice for Planners: Incorporating Conservation into Planning;115
6.2.5; Conclusion;116
6.2.6;References;117
6.3;6 Exurban Land Development and Breeding Birds;120
6.3.1; Introduction;120
6.3.2; Concepts;121
6.3.2.1; Habitat;121
6.3.2.2; Vegetation;121
6.3.3; General Effects of Exurban Development on Birds;122
6.3.4; Challenges Posed by Exurban Land Development;124
6.3.4.1; Collisions;124
6.3.4.2; Electrocution;124
6.3.4.3; Predators;125
6.3.4.4; Human Disturbance;125
6.3.4.5; Poison;125
6.3.5; Management Strategies;125
6.3.5.1; Clustered Housing;126
6.3.5.2; Maintaining Connectivity;127
6.3.5.3; Golf Course Design;128
6.3.5.4; Reducing Electrocution;128
6.3.5.5; Reducing Window Strikes;128
6.3.5.6; Reducing Human Disturbance, Predation, and Poisoning;129
6.3.6; Conclusion;129
6.3.7;References;130
6.4;7 Integrating Wildlife Conservation into Land-Use Plans for Rapidly Growing Cities;133
6.4.1; Introduction;133
6.4.2; Historical Background: Wildlife Conservation on Urban and Suburban Lands;134
6.4.3; Importance of Wildlife and Wildlife Habitats in Metropolitan Environments;137
6.4.3.1; Habitat Conservation Plans;138
6.4.4; The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan;139
6.4.5;Managing the Social and Political Dimensions of the Land-Use Planning Process;141
6.4.6; Conclusion;144
6.4.7;References;145
6.5;8 Into the Wild: Vegetation, Alien Plants, and Familiar Fire at the Exurban Frontier;148
6.5.1; Introduction;148
6.5.2; Plant Habitat;150
6.5.3; Plant Species;151
6.5.4; Structure;155
6.5.5; Ecological Processes;156
6.5.6; Social and Economic Impacts;159
6.5.7; Forest Considerations;161
6.5.8; Rangeland Considerations;163
6.5.9; Desert Considerations;164
6.5.10; Conclusion;165
6.5.11;References;168
7;Part III Water Resources, Wetlands, and Storm Water Management;172
7.1;9 Impacts of Exurban Development on Water Quality;173
7.1.1; Introduction;173
7.1.2; Review of Urban and Exurban Land-Use Impacts on Water Quality;174
7.1.2.1; Water Quality Assessments and Sources;175
7.1.2.2; Organic Contaminants;176
7.1.2.3; Nutrients;184
7.1.2.4; Metals;184
7.1.2.5; Sedimentation;185
7.1.2.6; Summary of Urban Land-Use Impacts;186
7.1.3; Land-Use Impacts and Watershed Planning: The Russian River Basin, California;186
7.1.4; Conclusion;188
7.1.5;References;190
7.2;10 Preparing for Human Expansion into Exurban RiparianAreas;194
7.2.1; Introduction;194
7.2.2; Guiding Principles;196
7.2.2.1; Principle 1: Review the Science;196
7.2.2.2; Principle 2: Understanding the Regional Planning and Regulatory Context;200
7.2.2.3; Principle 3: Conduct Long-range Regional Planning for Exurban Riparian Areas;204
7.2.2.4; Principle 4: Mobilize Conservation Resources;206
7.2.2.5; Principle 5: Assess and Make Decisions about Specific Sites;206
7.2.2.6; Principle 6: Learn from Existing and New Development Sites and Adapt Sites as Needed;209
7.2.3; Conclusion;210
7.2.4;References;210
7.3;11 Storm Water Management in Exurbia;212
7.3.1; Introduction;212
7.3.2; The Exurban Context;213
7.3.3; Storm Water;214
7.3.4; Problems;214
7.3.4.1; Building Footprints Effects;215
7.3.4.2; Siting of Homes and Other Structures;218
7.3.4.3; Roads and Infrastructure Placement;218
7.3.4.4; Associated Land Uses;220
7.3.4.5; Water Development;220
7.3.4.6; Attitudes Toward Flood Control;221
7.3.5; Regulatory Framework;221
7.3.6; Structural, Nonstructural, and No-Action Floodplain Management;222
7.3.7; Conclusion;224
7.3.8;References;224
8;Part IV Science-Based Planning in Exurban Areas;227
8.1;12 A Science-Based Approach to Regional Conservation Planning;228
8.1.1; Introduction;228
8.1.2; Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan;230
8.1.2.1; Planning Area;231
8.1.3; A Process for Large-Scale Conservation Planning;232
8.1.3.1; Goals and Guidelines;235
8.1.3.2; Modeling Potential Habitat;237
8.1.3.3; Conservation Lands System;239
8.1.3.4; Riparian Areas as a Foundation for Connectivity;241
8.1.3.5; From Conservation Planning to Conservation Reality;242
8.1.4; Conclusion;243
8.1.5;References;243
8.2;13 Mitigating Environmental Problems in Exurban Development: An Overview of Rural-Specific Planning Devices;245
8.2.1; Introduction;245
8.2.2; The Rural Land-Use Planning Context;247
8.2.3; Devices Used to Affect Open Space;250
8.2.3.1; Collectivization Devices;250
8.2.3.2; Regulatory Devices;252
8.2.3.3; Voluntary Devices;253
8.2.3.4; Educational Devices;256
8.2.4; Rural Land-Use Planning and Conservation in South-Central Wisconsin;256
8.2.4.1; The Sauk County PDR Program;258
8.2.5; Conclusion;260
8.2.6;References;261
9;Index;264