Rural and Suburban Sprawl in the U.S. Midwest from 1940 to 2000 and Its Relation to Forest Fragmentation

Abstract

Housing growth and its environmental effects pose major conservation challenges. We sought to (1) quantify spatial and temporal patterns of housing growth across the U.S. Midwest from 1940Midwest from -2000 identify ecoregions strongly affected by housing growth, (3) assess the extent to which forests occur near housing, and (4) relate housing to forest fragmentation. We used data from the 2000 U.S. Census to derive fine-scale backcasts of decadal housing density. Housing data were integrated with a 30-m resolution U.S. Geological Survey land cover classification. The number of housing units in the Midwest grew by 146% between 1940 and 2000. Spatially, housing growth was particularly strong at the fringe of metropolitan areas (suburban sprawl) and in nonmetropolitan areas (rural sprawl) that are rich in natural amenities such as lakes and forests. The medium-density housing (4-32 housing units/km 2 ) category increased most in area. Temporally, suburban housing growth was especially high in the post-World War II decades. Rural sprawl was highest in the 1970s and 1990s. The majority of midwestern forests either contained or were near housing. Only 14.8% of the region's forests were in partial block groups with no housing. Housing density was negatively correlated with the amount of interior forest. The widespread and pervasive nature of sprawl shown by our data is cause for conservation concern. Suburban sprawl has major environmental impacts on comparatively small areas because of the high number of housing units involved. In contrast, rural sprawl affects larger areas but with less intensity because associated housing densities are lower. The environmental effects per house, however, are likely higher in the case of rural sprawl because it occurs in less-altered areas. Conservation efforts will need to address both types of sprawl to be successful.

Effects of Urban Expansion on Forest Loss and Fragmentation in Six Megaregions, China

“…This result is consistent with those from previous studies conducted for single cities, or at the urban region scales [18,42,43]. The total area of loss in forested land caused by urban expansion, however, varied greatly by megaregions.…”

Ecological importance of intermediate windstorms rivals large, infrequent disturbances in the northern Great Lakes

“…This suggests the magnitude of the link between anthropogenic and natural disturbances in the northern Great Lakes is quite strong. Human activities can drastically alter the age of forest stands and the degree of fragmentation (Radeloff et al 2005), potentially creating feedback loops that may enhance or diminish the effects of wind disturbance. Forested landscapes are becoming increasingly homogeneous and fragmented throughout the northern Great Lakes region (Radeloff et al 2005, Schulte et al 2007) and other regions across the globe (Riitters et al 2000).…”

“…Human activities can drastically alter the age of forest stands and the degree of fragmentation (Radeloff et al 2005), potentially creating feedback loops that may enhance or diminish the effects of wind disturbance. Forested landscapes are becoming increasingly homogeneous and fragmented throughout the northern Great Lakes region (Radeloff et al 2005, Schulte et al 2007) and other regions across the globe (Riitters et al 2000). If increased disturbance frequency associated with forest edge and older stands can preferentially modify species composition, structure, demography, and ecosystem processes, then anthropogenically induced increases in forest edge and stand age (via selectively protecting reserves of old stands) may be accentuating the effects of wind disturbance.…”

“…Tornados and gales associated with intense low pressure also cause wind damage, but non-tornadic winds associated with thunderstorms inflict the most damage to forests (Peterson 2004). The contemporary landscape of the area is also partly a product of extensive logging and development (Radeloff et al 2005, Perry et al 2008, Pugh et al 2009). …”

Quantification of impervious surface in the Snohomish Water Resources Inventory Area of Western Washington from 1972-2006

“…As land is converted into urban and residential, fundamental changes occur in the properties of ecosystems, including how water and nutrients are cycled (Tang et al, 2005) and how habitat is allocated to flora and fauna (Radeloff et al, 2005). The area around Seattle, Washington has experienced rapid land cover change in recent decades.…”