Poster Abstracts Source/Sink Dynamics of Stormwater Runoff from Residential Lawns Monica Smith and Lawrence Band Many scientific studies have described the ecological and hydrological impacts of increased impervious land cover. However, the hydrologic processes associated with residential lawns are largely under studied. This deficiency is significant given that 40 million acres of U.S. land consists of lawn cover (Milesi et al. 2005), and recent studies have suggested that pervious areas account for a large portion of runoff sources in suburban watersheds (Burgess et al. 1998). In addition, storm water runoff generated from lawns is of particular interest because lawns are the primary source of nitrogen loads in suburban areas (Law et al. 2004). Using Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometers, I have measured differences in residential lawn infiltration rates according to hill slope position and housing stock at a variety of rainfall rates within the Baltimore Long-Term Ecosystem Research site. I extend the “fill and spill” hypothesis to develop a series of connectivity thresholds at which portions of the residential lawn landscape become overland flow source areas. The results of this research can be applied to determine which regions within a watershed are most likely to fill and spill, what neighborhood stock is more likely to fill and spill, and what areas should be targeted for hydrologic buffer creation to prevent fill and spill from residential lawns. Urban Forestry Extension and Outreach Activities at Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA Daniel Collins, Yadong Qi, Zhu Ning, Kamran Abdollahi, Fulbert Namwamba,
and Andra Johnson Most of the U. S. population now lives in urban and suburban communities. Consequently, interest in the preservation and enhancement of the urban environment is rising. Urban residents are increasingly concerned about issues related to urban sprawl at the urban-wild land interface and their effects on forests, wetlands, prairies, and other natural areas. Also, urban residents are increasingly involved in the formulation of natural resource management policies across the landscape from urban areas to remote wilderness. These growing needs have provided opportunities for The Urban Forestry Program at Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA to provide urban forestry extension and outreach programming to private citizens, policy makers, and natural resource professionals through a variety of venues. This poster summarizes some of the highlights and accomplishments in informing clientele concerning urban and community forestry issues through workshops, the urban forestry tree farm, hands on demonstration projects, print and electronic publications. Using GIS to Prioritize Reforestation of Cooperative Farming Areas within Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge Christopher A. Bridges and Mae A. Davenport As residential and commercial development pressures continue to grow along the urban-agricultural interface, many natural resource agencies and non-government organizations across the U.S. have responded by acquiring vulnerable lands, especially those having potential ecological significance, with restoration in mind. The current fiscal climate facing most agencies and organizations has meant that tools for prioritizing and streamlining restoration goals and programs are in great need. Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge was established to restore forest and wetland habitats in the Cache River Watershed of southern Illinois, previously impacted by agricultural conversion and timber harvesting. Since 1990 the refuge has acquired over 15,000 acres of which 1,860 acres are currently enrolled in cooperative farming agreements targeted for potential reforestation. This poster presents a model for prioritizing reforestation according to several variables, including: 1) forest connectivity, 2) land capability, 3) proximity to streams, 4) presence of highly erodible lands, and 5) presence of wetlands. By integrating the potential value of reforesting agricultural lands for ecological benefits with the value of conserving prime farmlands for continued production, a more sustainable reforestation model is achieved. Using ArcGIS 9.1, the integrated reforestation model identified 464 acres as high priority for reforestation and 413 acres as prime agricultural lands. This model can be applied by refuge managers to address both wildlife and local agricultural interests in restoration of public lands. Additionally, great potential exists for the application of this model in identifying lands along the urban-rural interface most appropriate for land acquisition, sustainable agricultural production, and/or reforestation. Urbanization in Costa Rica and the Structure and Organization of Local and Regional Avian Assemblages Jeff L. Norris In this poster I present the results of my pilot study on the effects of urbanization on the structure and organization of avian assemblages in Costa Rica. This study will represent one of the first, and most comprehensive, to address the effects of urbanization on avifauna in the neotropics as it includes multiple cities and distinct ecoregions in the analysis. Using remote sensing techniques and GIS I aim test theories of species distribution and community assembly along an urbanization gradient in relation to productivity, disturbance, and habitat heterogeneity. I expect avian assemblages in heavily urbanized areas to be nested subsets of larger regional species pools and relatively independent of regional or historical effects. Species turnover between urban core assemblages should be significantly less than the turnover between rural or native fragment assemblages. Furthermore, avian assemblages from different cities and regions at similar points along the urbanization gradient should demonstrate a high degree of similarity in a few key life history characteristics (e.g. geographic distribution, fecundity, and feeding and nesting guilds). Urbanization likely acts as a deterministic filter to regional avian species pools and a description of the assembly patterns would provide not only predictions of avifaunal changes in other urbanizing regions of the neotropics, but also offer land development guidelines that may benefit a greater number of urban adaptable species. Hymenopteran (Insecta) Community Structure in Urban Green Spaces Sylvio Codella, Bruce Kuntz, Jon O'Brien, Khaled Dardir, and Katerine
Raymondi Our group is interested in the effects of urbanization on insect biodiversity. Since 2000, we have studied hymenopterans (sawflies, wasps, ants, bees) at Watchung Reservation, a heterogeneous, 2000-acre urban green space in densely populated Union County, New Jersey, USA. In 2003-2005, we used yellow pan traps, supplemented by pitfalls, baits and hand collecting, to sample at three conifer sites that vary in their degree of human impact from pollution, site history and pest management. Over 4100 specimens representing 159 species in 24 families were collected. Ants (Formicidae) and parasitic diapriid wasps were among the most abundant taxa, with over 1000 specimens collected in each case. For ants, species composition but not richness varied among sites as a function of distance. Rarefaction curve analysis indicated that the epigaeic component of the ant fauna was well-sampled. In contrast, diapriid species composition and weekly trap catch varied between adjacent sites. These results suggest that, for some small invertebrates, microhabitat differences can strongly affect community composition, and even small urban green spaces can harbor diverse assemblages. We are also studying the effect of social insects on parasitic wasp diversity. Preliminary results with Malaise and baited dome traps suggest that vespid (hornets, yellowjackets) abundance depresses the diversity of some parasitic taxa. This may be particularly intense in small preserves, where competition for prey/hosts (herbivorous insects) is likely to be intense. Modeling Landscape Permeability for the Northern Red-legged Frog (R. aurora) Between Palustrine Wetlands Along an Urban-Wildland Gradient Molly Mathias Urban development is occurring rapidly, necessitating conservation models which identify indicators for planning practitioners to use in local land use decisions to minimize species loss. This study will assess landscape permeability for the Northern Red Legged Frog (Rana aurora) along an urban-wildland gradient in King County, Washington. R. aurora is a Pacific Northwest endemic amphibian that requires a relatively large area of aquatic and terrestrial habitat for annual migration and dispersal. Studies have shown that the current wetland protection for R. aurora does not protect adequate upland habitat to maintain long-term population persistence. This study hypothesizes that there is a development threshold along the urban-wildland gradient where R. aurora are no longer able to move through the landscape for seasonal migration and dispersal to new breeding ponds. This study will use a geographic information system to compile a land use map of King County, Washington. The land use map will be used to assess landscape permeability (friction) for R. aurora by assigning values to the cells based on energy cost for crossing each cell. Based on friction and maximum migration distance (MMD), potential migration zones will be modeled using least-cost corridor analysis. This study will identify potential migration zones from individual ponds under current conditions as well as under alternative future development scenarios. This research can help inform many practical conservation actions by providing information for planners and policymakers on the effects of development patterns on the ability of R. aurora to move through the landscape. Exurbanization of Forest and Farmland on Tennessee's Southern Cumberland Plateau: A Comparison of Water Quality Under Two Development Models Melissa Early, Jordan Casey, Erin Tyrell and Deborah McGrath The southern Cumberland Plateau supports some of the most biologically diverse streams in North America, but much of this land is privately owned and not under any zoning or growth restrictions. Thus the potential for unrestricted exurban growth is high, as are the potential negative impacts on ecosystems services provided by these natural areas. We compared the ecological impact on stream water quality of two models of development; upland forest conversion to low-density residential and subdivision of valley farmlands. This study was initiated in response to concerns expressed by a land trust and city planners in Sequatchie County, Tennessee, about unchecked exurban growth on valley farmland and Plateau forest. For fifteen months, ten water quality variables were sampled monthly from ten streams draining undisturbed forest and farm sites, as well as exurban residential areas converted from forest and farmland. In several streams, nitrate concentrations and coliform bacteria counts spiked above EPA standards during late spring and fall, however this appeared more strongly correlated with season than land use. Phosphate concentrations were higher in streams alongside one farm site. Mean stream water turbidity was significantly higher downstream from exurban residential areas in upland forest during rainy periods, most likely due to erosion of roads cut into the forested developments. Currently, we are studying the impact of development type on benthic macroinvertebrates populations. Exurbanization of Forest and Farmland on Tennessee’s Southern Cumberland Plateau: A Comparison of County Costs and Revenue under Two Development Models. Sarah Simmons, Melissa Early, Deborah McGrath and Ken Smith Tennessee’s southern Cumberland Plateau supports high biological diversity and productive farmland. Much of this land is privately owned and not under any growth restrictions, resulting in unchecked exurban expansion as housing developments supplant forest and farmland. In addition to the ecological impact of unrestricted growth, many cost of community service (COCS) studies show that expenditures for new developments exceed the revenue generated by property taxes. We compared the economic costs of two development models occurring in this region; upland forest conversion to low-density homes and subdivision of valley farmland. Our study was conducted in Marion and Sequatchie counties on tracts of land developed on forested bluff and valley farmland to determine the tax revenues and cost of services of these two types of development to the local government. Using interviews with county officials and developers, tax parcel maps and GIS, we compared sales transactions and development expenditures. The price of upland forested property increased 100-fold over the last five years, with over half the land purchased by out of state investors. The cost of extending roads, water and electricity to the upland forested properties was much higher but paid by the developer. Tax revenue from subdivided farmland was higher due to more parcel sales, but the extension of services was financed by the local government. Preliminary results suggest that the costs associated with extending roads, schools, emergency services, wa ter, power and sewer lines may not be offset by revenue increases, which may result in higher county-wide property taxes. Measurements of Watershed Stability Across an Urban-Rural Gradient in West Georgia Jackie Crim, B. Graeme Lockaby and Jon E. Schoonover The effects of land use on watershed stability were measured in the Middle Chattahoochee Watershed of western Georgia. This area is undergoing extensive urbanization. Consequently, the biotic integrity of Georgia’s streams is in jeopardy. From 2003 to 2005, we examined the hydrology and water quality of eighteen subwatersheds. These subwatersheds were selected across an urban-rural gradient with dominant land uses of urban, developing, pastoral, managed, and unmanaged forests. Grab samples were examined for NO3-, Cl-, SO4-, Na+, NH4+, K+, P, total dissolved and suspended solids, dissolved organic carbon, and fecal coliform counts. Watershed stability in terms of low hydrologic and water quality variations increased with increasing forest cover. Watersheds with the highest percentages of impervious surfaces and the lowest amounts of forest cover displayed the greatest hydrologic fluctuations between years. The increased fluctuations in the water quality variables with in these urban watersheds may likely be a result of the hydrologic variation. This suggests that the amount of forest cover within a watershed may contribute to the stability of many nutrients, sediment, and bacteria within flowing waters, thus having important implications for the ecological communities within these streams. Mechanistic Causes for Variation in Photosynthesis and Growth in Quercus rubra L. Along an Urban-Rural Gradient in New York City Stephanie Searle and Victor DeTroy Plant and ecosystem function is sensitive to characteristics of the New York City urban environment, such as elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations, higher nighttime temperatures, lower tropospheric ozone, and higher deposition of nitrogen and pollutants. Here, we investigate the effects of the urban atmosphere on metabolic activity and growth in Quercus rubra L. (red oak), a tree species native to and common in the New York area, which will be most indicative of how accelerating urbanization will affect ecosystems in this region. Here, we show that Q. rubra seedlings exhibit higher rates of relative growth at our urban site relative to the rural sites. We consider the relationships between respiration and photosynthesis (measured with gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence) to develop a mechanistic explanation for enhanced growth in the NYC environment. Elevated nocturnal temperatures at our urban site cause an increase in respiration, which is linked to photosynthesis through leaf carbohydrate concentration. Plant respiration acclimates to long-term changes in temperature; the degree to which this occurs greatly affects a plant’s response to the urban environment. We use a growth chamber experiment to investigate the isolated effect of higher nighttime temperature on plant function, and the relationship between degree of respiratory acclimation to temperature and growth rate. Our results have implications for management of forest ecosystems in the NYC area, as well as for modeling flux of carbon dioxide between forests and the atmosphere. Conserving Subdivided Nature: A Typology of Residential Development Practices in the South Carolina Lowcountry Jessi Shuler, Angela Halfacre, and Patrick Hurley Migration in South Carolina's Lowcountry has led to an increase in residential development, particularly outside of historically urban areas. This growth has potential consequences for the environmental health of the Lowcountry. As a result, these changing land-use trends are a primary factor in the increased focus on conservation by land-use planners and concern about the ecological consequences of ongoing development. Rooted in the shift toward achieving conservation goals on private lands, a relatively recent form of development, known as a conservation subdivision, attempts to accommodate this residential growth, while still preserving natural or rural areas as open space. At present, little is known about the usage of conservation within development, or more specifically, conservation subdivisions, in South Carolina's Lowcountry: how widespread the practice has become, the types of resources conserved, or forms of governance. My project seeks to construct a typology of subdivision types in the region based on conservation and environmental management features through the use of a survey of subdivisions in coastal counties of the state; document analysis of site plans (if available), subdivision Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), and marketing materials; focus group interviews with community members; and photographic documentation during site visits to individual communities. The goal of this research is provide a better understanding of conservation subdivisions in practice and contribute to developing frameworks through which to evaluate the effectiveness of their conservation performance. Breeding Bird Species Diversity Across Three Urban-Rural Gradients Michael C. Parrish and Jeffrey A. Hepinstall
Use of Lichens as Bioindicators of Urbanization and Atmospheric Deposition in the West Georgia Piedmont, USA Diane M. Styers and Arthur H. Chappelka Anthropogenic factors contributing to environmental change in urbanizing environments include pollutant deposition, forest fragmentation, and urban heat island effects. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in lichen communities across an urbanization gradient near Columbus, Georgia. It is hypothesized that effects of land use change and air pollutant exposure to forest ecosystems are revealed in these bioindicators of ecosystem integrity. Specific objectives of this study were to 1) obtain lichen incidence and abundance data for information about exposure that has occurred locally, but over a broad temporal scale, 2) utilize lichen tissue samples for background elemental data over a broad spatial area, and 3) use lichen transplants as biomonitors of atmospheric deposition. For this study we collected lichen incidence and abundance data and examined elemental concentrations from thirty-six 0.05-hectare circular plots distributed along an urban-to-rural gradient. In addition, known sensitive (Usnea strigosa) and tolerant (Parmotrema perforatum) lichen species were transplanted to nine plots along the gradient and were collected periodically over the course of one year. These data were then analyzed to discern differences in lichen coverage, lichen species diversity, and pollutant accumulation between land use types. Results indicate that lichen growth form, species, coverage, and diversity differ across the gradient. Urban areas appear to have more crustose and less foliose lichens; more nitrophytic, species; fewer trees containing lichens; and fewer lichen species per tree. These results indicate that lichen communities in West Georgia appear to be responding to land use changes and/or atmospheric deposition. Integrating Strategies for Protected Landscapes: Managing Across Political, Social and Economic Boundaries C. A. Bridges, J. M. Cohen, S. Dhungel, J. D. McQuaide, D. Holz and
A. D. Carver Throughout the world, numerous threats to protected areas pose new challenges for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable management of natural resources. Urbanization, encroachment and other anthropogenic pressures threaten the capacity for traditional protected areas to meet conservation goals. The implementation of ecosystem management both domestically and internationally requires the ability for conservation areas to span political, social, economic and ecological boundaries. These factors have led to the emergence of new strategies for sustainable protected area management. Through an analysis of recent literature, this poster models innovative approaches necessary for effective management of parks, protected areas and working landscapes which are becoming increasingly linked to the urban/rural interface. Land use planning for both economic and ecological objectives is outlined as an important opportunity for sustainable environmental protection. Additionally, greater community member involvement and integration of stakeholder values into planning and management is identified as essential to long-term support for conservation goals. Inventive measures for financing protected area management and for promoting healthy local economies are presented as means of alleviating development pressures on wildlands. Implications for this research include the application of the model to guide large scale conservation strategies and to direct ecosystem scale landscape protection. Documenting Mammal Diversity in the Rural/Urban Interface of Panama City, Panama Andrew D. Carver, Nestor J. Correa, Brooke K. Thurau, Clayton K. Nielsen,
Eric M. Schauber
Urbanization Impacts on Water Quality in Apalachicola Bay, Florida Ana Cerro and B. Graeme Lockaby Water quality degradation in coastal areas is a global problem of increasing concern not only for environmental reasons, but also for human health and economic dependencies on coastal productivity. As an example, high rates of development projected for coastal areas poses a great threat to water quality near Apalachicola Bay located on the Gulf Coast of Florida. This productive estuary currently supports a viable fishing industry and numerous recreational opportunities. An assessment of current water quality conditions is important for management plans that will aid in sustainable development of Apalachicola Bay. Fifteen watersheds were selected to represent various levels of urbanization by focusing on impervious surface. Water grab samples taken at the outflow of the watersheds are being analyzed for nutrient, fecal, and sediment concentrations. In addition, a number of storm events will be sampled to capture storm run-off impacts from urban areas. Preliminary data has shown elevated concentrations of some parameters including phosphate in urban areas. This study will assist in determining current water quality and hydrology of streams entering the Bay. Land Use Change and NO3-N Loads in the C-1 Sub-Basin of the Biscayne Bay Watershed, South Florida Richard O. Carey, Kati W. Migliaccio, and Mark T. Brown Biscayne Bay watershed, a tropical ecosystem located along the southeastern Florida coastline, has experienced rapid population growth in recent years. Extensive development in the 250,000 ha watershed has produced problems in Biscayne Bay such as fish extinctions and algal blooms. Biscayne Bay is both ecologically and economically important to South Florida, its tropical reefs and mangroves support numerous species (manatees, dolphins etc.) as well as fishing and recreational industries. Drainage canals and pumps reduce watershed flooding during storms. However, the drainage system also provides direct transport of waters and associated pollutants to the bay. Nineteen canals discharge directly into Biscayne Bay with land use patterns influencing pollutant characteristics. We propose a qualitative approach comparing land use variables, historical (1994 – 2001) NO3-N loads and rainfall in the C-1 watershed sub-basin. We will use GIS land use/land cover maps from 1995 and 2000 to calculate land use variables related to human disturbance: (1) Landscape Development Intensity (LDI) indexes and (2) area-weighted imperviousness values. Data from surface water monitoring stations within the C-1 sub-basin will be used to calculate NO3-N loads and rainfall data will be obtained from the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN). Quantifying development patterns by calculating land use variables – such as the LDI index that can integrate multiple historical datasets – has the potential to indicate the relative influence of land use classes on water quality. This preliminary study will contribute to further investigations that could enhance management strategies for attaining realistic water quality goals considering land-use development. Multifunctionality in Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Genya Erling Multifunctionality is the word used to describe the various services
performed by agriculture beyond the production of food and fiber. It
recognizes, for instance, that farmlands affect water and soil health,
air quality, and natural habitat. The food produced by agriculture affects
human health and well-being. Communities often identify themselves with
the agricultural traditions and food of an area, which creates important
foundations of social capital. And the presence or absence of agriculture
in a landscape directly influences regional patterns of urban development. Nowhere is multifunctional agriculture more important than in urban areas. At the second conference on Emerging Issues along Urban Rural Interfaces in Atlanta in April 2007, I propose to present a poster relating critical aspects of urban and peri-urban agriculture, introducing the subject of multifunctionality, drawing on international examples, and discussing both potential benefits and possible barriers. Technology Transfer Activities of the Southern Center for Wildland-Urban Interface Research and Information L. Annie Hermansen-Baez and Edward Macie The Southern Center for Wildland-Urban Interface Research and Information (Center) is part of a research work unit of the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station. The Center’s mission is to develop and communicate guidelines, models, and tools needed by natural resource managers, policymakers, planners, and citizens to reduce risks to ecosystems and human communities in urban and urbanizing landscapes. The emphasis on packaging and delivering science for end users is thus an important component of the Center’s work. There are four main methods that the Center uses to disseminate and exchange information about interface issues. They include (1) electronic media (e.g. website, listserve), (2) publications, (3) professional development courses and conferences, and (4) model projects/demonstrations. The InterfaceSouth website (www.interfacesouth.org) provides information about Center products, research, and training projects, plus serves as a clearinghouse of information about interface events, publications, weblinks, and much more. The Center’s listserve, SWUINET, distributes the InterfaceSouth Update and Post (electronic newsletter and announcements respectively) to natural resource professionals across the South. The Center produces several kinds of publications for natural resource professionals, including fact sheets, general technical reports, journal articles, and books. The Center also develops professional development training courses, outreach programs, and conferences in cooperation with several partners. Implications of Land Use Change on Private Forest Land in the Urban/Rural Interface in Penobscot County, Maine G. Heldmann and J. Leahy While Maine is often remembered for its public recreation areas like Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park, in reality, only about 6% of the land in Maine is publicly owned (Field, 2003). Public use of private land for hunting, fishing, and motorized recreation is part of Maine's heritage and land use change, particularly development, is a major threat to traditional recreation access. Maine's forests have recently undergone many ownership changes, which extend beyond simple transactions among forest industry players. The types of individuals and companies now owning major tracts of forest land are vastly different from 10 years ago (Hagen, Irland, & Whitman, 2005). Also, residential development pressure presents an ever-increasing stress on forest land, with one study demonstrating that the lower Penobscot River watershed is the number one area in the entire United States for projected increases in housing density (Stein et al. 2005). This poster will explore implications of land use change on public recreation access to Maine's private forest land. It will describe land use change and recreation access literature that is relevant to predicting land ownership change, land use change, and recreation access change. It will then apply this knowledge to a case study situation in Penobscot County, Maine, with the objectives of assessing current recreation access on private land, increasing understanding of landowner decision making, developing predictive models based on different types of recreation, creating GIS maps that illustrate current and predicted recreation access, and providing recommendations based on the results. Periurban Agriculture and Mediterranean Ecosystems: the Cheese of Azeitão Production System as an Example of Sustainable Multifunctional Agriculture in Lisbon Metropolitan Area Maria Isabel Rodrigues; presented by Isabel Maria Madaleno For thousands of years agriculture has largely contributed to shape the landscapes of the Mediterranean Basin. Presently, its ecosystems are threatened both by destruction and abandonment. The human involvement, and particularly sustainable agriculture, is a crucial requirement to achieve Mediterranean nature conservation. Large suburban areas suffer the pressure of accelerated land use transformation, which causes great vulnerability in natural systems. The challenge of conserving Mediterranean landscapes in growing metropolitan areas requires the continuity of sustainable systems of agriculture and forestry. Thus, it is interesting to study the specific dynamics of periurban agriculture, which is different from those of rural territories. The Lisbon Metropolitan Area has Mediterranean characteristics. The urban sprawl contributes to the loss of identity in the territories that are progressively integrated in the urban space. Its environmental equilibrium is very weak. The system of green areas conceived as a network of greenways is essential to restore the environmental quality. Agriculture can play an important role concerning this issue. The Cheese of Azeitão production system is an example of the agriculture multi-functionality in a suburban area, which is not only useful for nature conservation, but also as far as economical and social functions are concerned. Modeling Growth at the Wildland-Urban Interface: A Case Study from Florida Maitreyi Mandal, Douglas R Carter and Janaki R R Alavalapati Conversion of land from rural to urban use is more pronounced in Florida than in many other states in the USA. Urban land in Florida increased from 1.2 million acres in 1964 to over five million acres in 1997. Using population projections and data from aerial photography and satellite imagery, it is further estimated that 130,000 acres per year will be converted from rural to urban uses in Florida from 2000 to 2020. This expansion has prompted both state and county governments to pursue a myriad of policies. For example, the Florida Forever program conserves rural landscapes by investing approximately $1 million per day for land purchases from 2000 to 2010. In order to effectively implement these policies, however, an in-depth understanding of factors responsible for future urban growth is critical. This study models growth at the wild land-urban interface in Duval, Clay and Alachua counties in north Florida. A two-stage spatial regression model was developed using 2005 county property appraiser’s data. This data set has been complemented with other variables including distances from major roads and city centers, presence of streams and other water bodies, type of zoning, and other variables reflecting whether the parcel falls within the city limits of major cities, and whether conservation easement and other environmental protection zoning boundaries are present. Variables representing spatial dependency aspects of land use are also included. Data have been tested for multicollinearity, heteroskedasticity (Glejser’s test) and spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s I) and necessary corrections made. At the first stage, land values are estimated as a function of spatial and nonspatial variables. At the second stage, a probit model is estimated to calculate the probability of a land parcel being developed. PISCES: Program of Integrated Study for Coastal Environmental Sustainability Suzanne Cox, William Conner, Dan Hitchcock, and Jeff Vernon In an effort to help mitigate the impacts of coastal development by providing low-impact alternatives, the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science (BICEFS) has created the Program of Integrated Study for Coastal Environmental Sustainability (PISCES). PISCES provides a unique opportunity to study the predevelopment landscape of Bannockburn Plantation and monitor any environmental impacts during and after development. The Bannockburn property is located along the rapidly urbanizing coast of Georgetown County, South Carolina, and is predominantly characterized by upland pine forests with interspersed wetland drainages and a large freshwater pond near the ocean. The overall goal of PISCES is to work toward achieving a sensible balance between natural and built environments through research, collaboration, education, and outreach. BICEFS researchers in the fields of hydrology, water quality, pond management, ecology, wetland science, computer modeling, and geospatial analysis will work in collaboration with multidisciplinary research partners from Clemson and other universities, as well as state and federal agencies, bringing a broad range of expertise in wildlife biology, soils, construction science, and urban planning to the table. This integrated approach will provide researchers with a better understanding of the effects of development on the fragile coastal environment, including: water quality, hydrology, vegetative productivity, biological diversity, and ecosystem function. PISCES scientists will be creating a “living laboratory and classroom” to explore ways to build communities that preserve functions of coastal ecosystems, minimize impacts on water quality, reduce storm water runoff, and support healthy populations of native wildlife. Comprehensive Effects of Riparian Forested Corridors on Native Biodiversity Gavin Ferris, Christopher Williams, and Vincent D'Amico Forested buffers have long been used to protect riparian habitats from agricultural pollution, although guidelines for their construction are based on little if any data. With increasing suburban sprawl, forested buffers could be useful in mitigating the impacts of residential land use. In addition to protecting streams from non-point source pollution, riparian corridors could be a haven for biodiversity in suburban and agricultural landscapes. Corridors may provide the conditions necessary for a diverse community within the stream while simultaneously providing habitat for terrestrial wildlife by excluding invasive exotic plants and promoting native forest plant communities. In developing potential best management practices for utilizing forested riparian corridors under a variety of anthropogenic impacts we must determine how wide a buffer must be to effectively protect a stream from nutrient and pesticide pollution as well as harbor native biota. We present preliminary data from the first of a 3-year study. In spring 2006, we monitored the transport of chemicals associated with residential and agricultural land uses across a variety of corridor widths to develop or improve existing guidelines for construction of riparian buffers. During winter of 2006, we began assessment of aquatic biodiversity. In the coming summer, we will analyze the relationships between corridor width, exotic plant exclusion and native plant diversity so that buffer guidelines are mindful of both the chemical and biotic integrity of the stream. The end goal of this study is to produce a model of the interaction between a corridor’s width and its contribution to local biodiversity. Measuring Urban Green Christopher Kowal As urban and rural areas undergo physical change and adaptation in response to real estate and land use pressures, policy makers are increasingly required to provide measurable and demonstrable economic rationale in their efforts to satisfy the often conflicting demands of advocates for development on one side, and for environmental sustainability on the other. This investigative project set out to measure in precise detail the spatial extent of tree canopy coverage in a major American city and to quantify corresponding financial figures associated with the economic value of environmental services performed by these trees. This project commenced with the acquisition of 1-meter resolution multi-spectral satellite data for the entire 606 square kilometer area of the City of Chicago. The satellite data was collected in September 2003 on behalf of the Chicago Department of Environment specifically for the purpose of conducting high-resolution green infrastructure mapping and related investigative studies designed to support the creation of sound environmental policy and development practices. The classification of this data resulted in a tree canopy map for the city that was of an unprecedented level of detail and accuracy. The resulting map data was used as the primary input into a series of models designed to yield quantitative figures for carbon sequestration and other services and to reveal the associated financial values specifically attributable to urban trees. The applications and implications of this quantitative measurement and analysis are of direct import to those concerned with issues of urban forestry, environmental protection, city planning and policy. Characterizing Landscape Changes in Florida Panhandle by Using Remote Sensing and GIS: A 30-year History (1975-2005) Pan Shufen and Li Guiying Information regarding the characteristics and spatial distribution of land use/cover as well as its changes with time is essential for environmental research, management and policy making. Florida Panhandle region has experienced rapid land transformation in the recent decades and will continue to develop rapidly in the near future. To quantify land-use changes and other landscape changes in this area, in this study, we developed a time-series of land use and land cover datasets from 1975 to 2005 for every 5 years based on Landsat MSS and TM images. We also developed 1 meter high resolution land use/cover data based on aerial photo imagery to meet watershed and sub-watershed level studies. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) derived from satellite images were incorporated into unsupervised classification. A suite of techniques that have been used to develop an operational approach, which will ensure high accuracy and compatibility in image process from multi-date, multi-scale, and multi-sensors of remote sensing data. We have identified 11 types of land covers including impervious surface, water, evergreen forest, deciduous forest, mixed forest, shrub, herbaceous emergent wetland, woody wetland, crop land, grass/pasture, and bare land. Results demonstrate there were many changes in land cover over 30 years, indicating decrease in forest, agricultural land and wetland, but increase in impervious surface, which known as urbanization. These datasets will also provide the basic information for study the driving causes and consequences of land use and land cover changes, as well as for prediction of future change. Trends in Water Quality Data for Conservation Areas in the Nassau River Basin, Florida Dana Morton, Michael McManus, and Shelley Beville The Nassau River basin is ~ 464 square miles (1202 square kilometers) and forms the border between Nassau and Duval counties in northeast Florida. Since 1997, the City of Jacksonville (COJ) has sampled 12 stations, in the estuarine portion of the basin that includes several conservation areas. These stations are sampled approximately every other month. Grab samples from each station are analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, turbidity, and total suspended solids using EPA approved methods. Using nonparametric methods, data from 1997 to 2004 were analyzed for trends. No evidence of a trend in total phosphorus (TP) concentration was detected in the two most upstream stations, which have the highest median concentrations of TP at 0.166 and 0.149 mg/L. However, nine of the ten downstream stations had significant increases in TP over time. A comparison of land use in the basin from 1990 to 2004 showed a 1% increase in the urban category, to 9.4%, and a 2.8% decrease in the forest category, to 43.4%. Land use in the basin will continue to change as several developments of regional impact have been proposed for this basin. Efforts are being made to gather finer resolution spatial data around the monitoring stations to test if the observed trends in TP concentrations are associated with changes in land cover and use. The Impact of Land Use Change on Biodiversity Loss in Uganda Kasule Yasin The study was carried out in three ecosystems, which were under different land use types, in Southwestern Uganda. These were: Sango Bay area, which comprises of gazetted swamp forests and experiences favorable amounts of rainfall; Private land adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park (LMNP) which is a drought stricken area; and privately owned Rubaale grasslands, which is also drought stricken. It analyzed land use change, using peoples’ perceptions, and focused on biodiversity of medicinal plants and plants used as sources of income. I used Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRAs) methods to collect data, and analyzed by descriptive statistics backed by graphic illustrations. Results showed that Sango Bay area had undergone the least biodiversity loss, followed by that adjacent to LMNP, while the Rubaale grasslands had lost it most rapidly. The variations in biodiversity loss across the study sites show a clear linkage between land use change and biodiversity loss. Land use change, which involves clearing of the natural vegetation, changes the diversity and dominance of the plant species. It leads to loss of plant diversity of the original and natural type and instead introduces species tolerant of the use change. Although new species are introduced, these are the common arable weeds yet the natural land cover could have supported species of conservation concern. Linking Urban Foresty and Urban Revitalization: Storm Water Management in a Baltimore Watershed Yvette M. Williams Designed experiments in urban ecosystems, as described by Felson and Pickett (2005) provide an opportunity to link research to neighborhood or community development or urban revitalization. One such example is a paired watershed comparison being made in Baltimore, Maryland as part of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES), a long-term ecological research site funded by the National Science Foundation. This pioneering experiment applies urban forestry practices to one of two urban catchments to test the effect on storm water and neighborhood conditions in the watershed. The watersheds, which have 75% impervious area, feature neighborhoods which have experienced severe socioeconomic decline over the last several decades. The catchments are being continuously monitored as part of the BES water monitoring program. Moreover, the watershed study is part of a larger effort to understand how people can use ecological knowledge as a means to improve the quality of their environment. My project will compare specific urban forestry practices and their effect on storm water quantity and quality. Additionally, in partnership with community based non-profit organizations such as the Parks and People Foundation, I will determine if these practices will be acceptable by the communities. Lincoln National Forest Capability Assessment Constance Zipperer March 2004, Harv Forsgren, Regional Forester Southwestern Region of the US Forest Service, formed an inter-governmental team to complete coarse-filter analysis on Lincoln NF in New Mexico USA. This analysis focused on resources/strategies necessary to implement regional priorities of community vitality, restoring ecological functionality of fire adapted ecosystems, and protection of communities from catastrophic wildfires. A catalyst for this analysis was a request by Mescalero Apache Tribe in New Mexico USA concerning future wood products availability from the Lincoln NF. The Tribe needed to make a critical decision to maintain operations at their two sawmills or to close one mill. Specifically, the team defined appropriate restoration and community protection prescriptions; developed common understanding of realistic potential flow of wood products over time from two different scenarios (using existing budget/staff on Lincoln NF and using an accelerated program, the Community Option and identified funding/staffing requirements for each scenario. The presence of many Mexican spotted owl(MSO) protected activity centers (PAC) and their vegetative requirements makes implementation of treatments difficult when focusing on community vitality and protection of communities from wildfires. Alternatives were considered to achieve Regional priorities while protecting MSO areas through compliance with the MSO Recovery Plan. The efforts of the inter-governmental team resulted in a very different products than a more typical team comprised solely of Forest Service personnel. The effort focused on/incorporated community values such as accelerated treatment program, consistent wildland-urban interface designation, different treatment options adjacent to private lands, and broad-based support. Preliminary Observations Regarding the Abundance and Diversity of Soilborne, Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Under Different Turf-grass Management Systems Sunjeong Park, Brian McSpadden Gardener, and Parwinder Grewal Urban soils have high spatial variability respect to their physical, chemical and biological properties. Road or building constructions often involve removing the top layers of soil, thereby exposing subsoils to the surface. Experimental plots were established to monitor the response of nitrogen fixing bacterial populations to different turf-grass management systems. Tall Fescue was planted directly into topsoil (T), subsoil (S), or compost amended treatments of each (TC and SC, respectively) . After the establishment of the turf-grass, nitrogen fertilizers were added at 0, 2 or 4 lbs N per 1000ft2. Prior to seeding, the abundance of nifH genes detected by quantitative PCR was significantly greater in both topsoil-containing treatments (T and TC) than in the two subsoils. (P<0.060). After growing turf-grass for three months, nifH copy number was significantly higher in TC and SC soils (P< 0.001) indicating positive influence of compost amendment on nitrogen fixing bacteria in both top and sub soils. Preliminary analysis of nifH sequences obtained from the initial sampling LIBSHUFF analysis indicated that the population structure of nitrogen-fixing bacteria differed in the topsoil and subsoil (P=0.1464). Quantitative PCR and preliminary diversity study of nifH indicated potentially unique nitrogen fixing bacterial group in the subsoil. Impact of additional nitrogen fertilizer input and changes in nitrogen fixing bacterial community over time will be further studied. Embedded Landscape: Revealing the Thick Interface Between the Rio Grande and the City of Albuquerque Tori Johnson Approaching this topic from a design discipline, my work represents
the relationship between the Rio Grande River and the city of Albuquerque,
NM, an urban/rural interface that is embedded within the urban mass,
rather than along an outer circumference of urban settlement. Through
photographic documentation and representation, I deconstruct our notion
of interface as a membrane and reconstruct an awareness of an interface
that is thick and complex, that is often counterintuitive but which reflects
an exchange of material, life and process. The river is the generative
force that allowed the city to develop from its flood plains. It exists
today as some semblance of protected habitat, recreational use and as
aqueduct for urban run-off and treated sewage out of the city. There
is an ebb and flow between the river and the human population that has
populated this section of the Middle Rio Grande Valley for centuries.
The interface includes the remnants of farm land that relies on proximity
to the river for irrigation. It includes the built city that sits in
part in historic flood plains. And it includes massive flood control
engineering that compensates for the flexible and fluctuating nature
of a river. Through photography, I examine a transect that represents
a “cross section” of this interface between the Rio Grande
River and the edge of the historic flood plain. The work documents the
space, the ecology, the engineering, the ebb and flow between the urban
and the “natural,” revealing the dynamic interchange between
the two. |
