ch 10 ecology and land use

8/3/2019 Ch 10 Ecology and Land Use

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Ecological Factors in Land Use

Ecology fundamentals: Landscape ecology

Vegetation

Urban Watershed Forestry

Inventory and analysis: e.g., CITYgreen

Wetlands and Coastal Ecology

Wetlands Protection and Mitigation

Coastal Zone Management

Wildlife

Habitat fundamentals: cores and corridors

Habitat Conservation Plans (ESA)


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Landscape Ecology Principles

Matrix is the land cover that is dominant and interconnected over majority of land surface (e.g.,forest, agriculture, urban).

Patch is a nonlinear polygon area less abundant than and different from matrix.Corridor is a linear or elongated patch that links other patches in the matrix.Mosaic is a collection of patches none of which are dominant enough to be interconnected

throughout landscape.


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Urban Ecology

Urban ecosystems are different: coupled andinterdependent human-ecological systems

Urbanization is key driver of ecosystem change Urbanization favors synanthropic species and

biodiversity peaks at intermediate levels on theurban gradient

Urban landscapes can best be characterized byfunctions, processes and patterns, and gradients,patches, networks, and hierarchies


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Urban ecologyMarina Alberti, 2008


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Function, process,

Pattern Human system

Ecological system


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Aquatic biodiversityStream health

Bird Diversity


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Six planning principles for Urban Ecosystems

Maximize resilience

Maintain diverse development patterns

Integrate and minimize resource use anddiversity resource supplies

Create flexibility in policies that mimicnatural processes

Learn by creating opportunities forexperimentation

Develop scenarios and employ adaptation


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Benefits of Vegetation in Urban Areas

Environmental Control

Erosion Control Slope Stability

Runoff Control

Nonpoint Source Pollution Control

Dune Stabilization

Noise Attenuation

Air Quality Improvement

Glare and Reflection Reduction

Micro-Climate Control

Temperature Reduction (counters urban heat island effect)

Wind Control

ShadingArchitectural and Aesthetic Benefits

Articulation of Space

Natural Aesthetics

Ecological Benefits

Wildlife Habitat


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Economic, Environmental, and Community Benefits of Trees


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Watershed Benefits of Forest Cover


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Street Tree Canopy


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Forested Riparian Buffer


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Buffer zone 1 and 2 width should be 30% of the active floodplain width.Minimum buffer width for floodplains greater than 333 feet is 100 feet;for those less than 333 feet, 45 feet; for floodplains on one-side only, 60 feet;

and for no floodplain, 35 feet


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Forest Canopy Loss, Atlanta Metro, 1974 to 1996


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Tree loss

Charlotte/

Mecklenburg

County, NC,1985-2008


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Typical Urban Forestry Program Goals Maximum tree cover. Maintain trees in a healthy condition

Maintain an optimal level of age and species diversity.

Promote conservation of tree resources. Select, situate, and maintain street trees appropriately

Centralize tree management under a forester/arborist

Promote cost-effective management of the urban forest.

Foster community support for the local urban forestry progra

Encourage good tree management on private properties.

Facilitate the resolution of tree-related conflicts


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Urban Forest Tree Inventory

S li I t


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Sampling Inventory


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Dot Grid Overlay and ImageTool Methodsfor Estimated Forest Canopy.


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http://www.urbanforestmap.org/


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Urban Watershed Forestry

Integration of

Urban forestry: management of the urban forest

for community, economic and environmental

benefits Watershed planning: sound land and resource

management to improve water resources

See Urban Watershed Forestry Manual, 2005 Part 1: Methods for increasing Forest Cover

Part 2: Conserving and Planting Trees at Dev. Sites

Part 3: Urban Tree Planting Guide


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Principles of Urban Watershed Forestry Forest cover is the highest and best use of land in a watershed for water, air,

habitat & heat island benefits.

Urban forests are a dynamic mosaic of forest, turf, and impervious cover heavily

stressed by air pollution, invasive species, and construction practices

The constant changes in watershed forests must be analyzed over time to track

gains and losses Management techniques are needed to improve urban forest diversity, structure,

canopy, maturity, species, and ecosystems

Existing forest tracts should be evaluated for priority as permanent conservation

Forest loss during land development can be reduced by forest conservation tools

Forest cover can be increased and canopy enhanced by reforestation on publicand private land including built environment infrastructure

Land use plans should contain explicit goals for watershed forest cover and

impervious surface

Urban watershed forestry should be integrated into watershed restoration


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Goals of Urban Watershed Forestry

Protect undeveloped forests from humanencroachment and impacts of land development

through planning techniques, regulatory tools

and incentives Enhance the health, condition, and function of

urban forest fragments including hydrology,

habitat, and tree growth Reforest open land through active replanting and

regeneration to increase forest canopy & cover to

regain forest functions and benefits


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Planning Methods for Increasing Forest Cover in a Watershed

1. Conduct a Watershed Leaf-Out Analysis2. Develop forest cover goals and objectives

3. Identify existing forest and reforestation

opportunities

4. Conduct a field assessment of existing forest

and reforestation opportunities

5. Prioritize existing forest and reforestation

6. Develop recommendations for meeting forest

cover goals


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1. Leaf-Out Analysis

1.1 Estimate the Distribution of Current Land Cover in theWatershed

1.2 Identify Protected and Unprotected Lands in the

Watershed

1.3 Determine Whether Parcels are Developed or

Undeveloped

1.4 Determine Allowable Zoning on Undeveloped Land

1.5 Summarize Watershed Data

1.6 Acquire Forest Cover Coefficients

1.7 Estimate Future Forest Cover in the Watershed.


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1.6 Acquire Forest Cover Coefficients


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Effect of forest conservation

regulations at a development site


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1.7 Estimating forest cover: Assumptions

1. All developed land will remain in its current land cover.2. All protected land will remain in its current land cover.

3. All impervious cover will remain impervious (e.g., no removal of

pavement).

4. All land that is unprotected and undeveloped is considered buildableand is subject to future development under allowable zoning.

5. Full buildout of the watershed will occur based on allowable zoning

(e.g., no re-zoning).

6. Future land cover of all buildable land can be estimated by applyingthe appropriate land cover coefficients for each zoning category.

7. The land cover coefficients chosen should reflect the current status of

forestconservation regulations in the watershed.


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Planning Methods for Increasing Forest Cover in a Watershed

1. Conduct a Watershed Leaf-Out Analysis2. Develop forest cover goals and objectives

3. Identify existing forest and reforestation

opportunities4. Conduct a field assessment of existing forest

and reforestation opportunities

5. Prioritize existing forest and reforestation

6. Develop recommendations for meeting forest

cover goals


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Effect of Conser ation and Reforestation on Forest Co er


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Effect of Conservation and Reforestation on Forest Cover


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Wetlands Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic

systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface

or the land is covered by shallow water.

For purposes of this classification wetlands must have one or

more of the following three attributes:

(1) at least periodically ,the land supports predominantly

hydrophytes,

(2) the substrate is predominantly undrained hydric soil, and

(3) the substrate is nonsoil and is saturated with water or

covered by shallow water at some time during the growing

season of each year.


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Marine Wetland

Estuarine Wetland

Riverine Wetland

Lacustrine Wetland

Palustrine Wetland

Wetland Types

Wetland Inventory: true color aerial photo:


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y p

A: field; B: forest; C: wetland/pond


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Benefits of Wetlands

Flood damage reduction

Shoreline erosion control

Water quality improvement Groundwater recharge

Healthy fisheries

Ecological benefits to wildlife and biodiversity Recreation, aesthetics, education, and research


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http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html
http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.htmlhttp://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html


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Wetlands Loss (and Gain) 1950s-2004

Wetlands Gained and Lost, 1998-2004


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Freshwater Ponds Gains


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A) Largely undeveloped area wherevegetated wetland predominates.


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B) Sparsedevelopment. Surface waters have been channelized and

retained in open water ponds.


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C) Dense residential development. Surface waters are contained in

artificial ponds and lakes.


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Estuarine Emergent Wetland (Salt Marsh) Loss

1998-2004


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Restoration - Returning a degraded or former wetland to asclose to the pre-existing condition as possible.

Enhancement - Increasing one or more of the functionsperformed by an existing wetland beyond what currently orpreviously existed in the wetland. There may be an

accompanying decrease in other functions.Creation - Converting a non-wetland (either dry land ordeep water) to a wetland.


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Wetland Mitigation Banking


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Coastal Areas of Concern: Marsh and Estuary Ecosystem


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Coastal Areas

of Concern:

Barrier IslandDune Systems


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Two Federal Programs

Coastal Zone Management Act 1972 Grants to states to develop CZM plans and

implementing programs to manage coastal

zone Barrier Island Resources Act 1982

Elements of Coastal Zone Program


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g Regulatory element

Coastal setbacks

Coastal construction control areas

Shoreline stabilization regulations

Access restrictions

Habitat protection and other controls Permit tracking and enforcement

Planning element

Adopted plans

Coastal land management and acquisition element

Coastal land holdings

Coastal land management and stewardship

Coastal land acquisition program


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Barrier Island Resources

Coastal barriers provide many free services that are foundations

of a strong economy and healthy environment.

They create the back-bay water quality needed to support

productive and lucrative fisheries, offer habitat for migratory

birds and many at-risk plants and animals, and are also popular

vacation destinations and a boon to local economies. Developing

coastal barriers, however, is risky business.

They serve as the mainlands first line of defense against storm

surges and hurricane winds.

Aware of their risk and value, Congress adopted the CoastalBarrier Resources Act (CBRA) in 1982. That law is the essence of

free-market natural resource conservation; it in no way regulates

how people can develop their land, but transfers the full cost from

Federal taxpayers to the individuals who choose to build.


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Coastal Barrier Resources Act 1982

Rapid pace of development spurred by federal subsidieslike flood insurance

1/3 of coastal barrier islands developed, 1/3 protected,

1/3 undeveloped

Identify and map 1/3 undeveloped make part of John H.

Chaffee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS)

CBRS now includes 585 System units (1.3 million

acres) and 271 units of protected areas (1.8 millionacres) of land and associated aquatic habitat.


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CBRS

In CBRS, private lands are available fordevelopment according to state and local

rules, but no federal $$ are available.

Without flood insurance and other federalsupport, most lands are left undeveloped,

put into conservation easements.


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CZMA and CBRS have helped but have


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CZMA and CBRS have helped but have

not reflected impacts of climate change

Florida now trying to plan for 5 foot sea

level rise

www.geology.com

Its not just the inundation by sea level rise

but the exacerbation of coastal storms and

storm surges www.chesapeakeadaptation.org
http://www.geology.com/http://www.chesapeakeadaptation.org/http://www.csc.noaa.gov/slr/viwer/http://www.chesapeakeadaptation.org/http://www.geology.com/

ch 10 ecology and land use

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