2004 UC Proceedings Abstract
 Measuring Sprawl's Consequences: Linking Biodiversity Change With Development Planning Track: Ecology and Conservation Author(s): Stephen Sperry Sprawl has been identified as a process where the development spread outpaces population growth. In researching sprawl, quantification of the impacts or changes has been limited. The research focus has been measuring the indicators of sprawl. Assessing the consequences requires true environmental measurement. This paper examines an approach to land use change detection to aid decision-making. It discusses the implications at the watershed level. The paper focuses on quantifying land use change and biodiversity impacts of sprawl. The process can aid in monitoring ecosystems and urban development. Change detection is useful in assessment of deforestation, changes in vegetation phenology, agricultural lands and water quality. The study ties satellite imagery with census information. It uses ArcGIS Spatial Analyst to analyze biodiversity by watershed catalog units. The research explores land use changes around Greenville, South Carolina. Greenville is characterized as the fifth most sprawling metropolitan area in the country. Stephen Sperry Clemson University Planning and Llandscape Arch 002 Hardin Hall Box 340511 Clemson , SC 29634-0511 US Phone: 864-656-3635 Fax: 864-656-7519 E-mail: sperrys@clemson.edu |
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