Andreassen, H. P. and Ims, R. A. 2001. Disperal in patchy vole populations: role of patch configuration, density dependence, and demography. Ecology 82(10): 2911(1).
patch dynamics, spatial patch configuration, ecological functionality
This article may raise issues that we need to consider in terms of forest structure and configuration.
Bacon, P. J., Cain, J. D. and Howard, D. C. 2002. Belief network models of land manager decisions and land use change. Journal of Environmental Management 65(1-23.
This article may be helpful in thinking about how our research can be used and about the policy choices that influence the patches we hope to study.
Banks, J. C., Brack, C. L. and James, R. N. 1999. Modelling changes in dimensions, health status, and arboricultural implications for urban trees. Urban Ecosystems 3(35-43.
urban forests, ecological functionality
This article appears to provide a good example of how urban trees have been studied and characterized.
Botkin, D. B. and Beveridge, C. E. 1997. Cities as environments. Urban Ecosystems 1(3-19.
urban ecology, urban forests
This article is the introduction to the journal Urban Ecosystems. It defines the themes that have characterized discussions about cities being considered as ecosystems themselves, including the beauty of natural parks, urban demographics, specific trends in city planning, and the idea of cities being considered as habitat. Los Angeles is described as a case study to demonstrate specific arguments of the authors.
Bramston, P., Pretty, G. and Chipuer, H. 2002. Unravelling subjective quality of life: an investigation of individual and community determinants. Social Indicators Research 59(261-274.
social functionality
This article appears to be one that will be very helpful in thinking about our measures of social functionality.
Brown, B. B. and Cropper, V. L. 2001. New urban and standard suburban subdivisions: evaluating psychological and social goals. Journal of the American Planning Association 67(4): New Urbanist,, subdivision, Salt Lake City, sense of community, neighborliness, social functionality, survey
May be good to look at survey methods for measuring social functionality.
Calthorpe, P. and Fulton, W. 2001. Regionalism and Sprawl. Washington, D. C.: Island Press
sprawl, regionalism, design, policy
It is interesting in that the first chapter discusses the economic region, the social region, and the ecological region - but not related to forest functionality directly. Provides a brief history of Seattle growth (1970's - present). Plate of Issaquah Highlands.
Christakopoulou, S., Dawson, J. and Gari, A. 2001. The community well-being questionnaire: theoretical context and initial assessment of its reliability and validity. Social Indicators Research 56(321-351.
social functionality, survey methods
The article appears to apply directly to our task of assessing social functionality both in terms of defining social function and designing a method of measurement.
Correll, M. R., Lillydahl, J. H. and Singell, L. D. 1978. The effects of greenbelts on residential property values: some findings on the political economy of open space. Land Economics 54(2): 207-217.
hedonic price model, open space, economic functionality
This paper assesses the economic effects of greenbelts in Boulder, CO, through hedonic price modeling. The research indicates that while there is a statistically significant, negative correlation between distance and residential housing price, there is no relationship between housing price and view of the Great Boulder Valley.
Costanza, R. 2000. Social goals and the valuation of ecosystem services. Ecosystems 3(1): 4-10.
economic valuation, economic functionality
The author provides a general assessment of the implicit approach used under the current economic system to evaluate ecosystem services, in the light of the efficiency of tradeoffs and choices. He proposes an alternative ethical standard, which incorporates ecological sustainability, social fairness, and economic efficiency in decisions made about natural resources.
Dale, V. H., Brown, S., Haeuber, R. A., Hobbs, N. T., Huntly, N., Naiman, R. J., Riebsame, W. E., Turner, M. G. and Valone, T. J. 2000. Ecological principles and guidelines for managing the use of the land. Ecological Applications 10(3): 639-670.
conservation, distrubance, ecological processes, ecosystem function, environmental policy, keystone species. land management, land use, ecological principles, landscape, nonnative species, planning, settlement patterns
De Wet, A. P., Richardson, J. and Olympia, C. 1998. Interactions of land-use history and current ecology in a recovering "urban wildland". Urban Ecosystems 2(237-262.
urban ecosystem
This paper describes the land use history and the ecology of a former industrial site in Lancaster County, PA, that is recovering from ecological impacts. It does briefly address the implications of conversion to green space / recreational uses, but is more of a descriptive article than a broader discussion of the implications of land conversion.
Diener, E. and Suh, E. 1997. Measuring quality of life: economic, social, and subjective indicators. Social Indicators Research 40(189-216.
Dovciak, M., Frelich, L. E. and Reich, P. B. 2001. Discordance in spatial patterns of white pine (Pinus strobus) size-classes in a patchy near-boreal forest. The Journal of Ecology 89(2): 280.
Dow, K. 2000. Social dimensions of gradients in urban ecosystems. Urban Ecosystems 4(255-275.
urban ecosystem, gradient, environmental history, urbanization, urban gradient, social functionality, theory
This article addresses the need to include social dimensions in landscape-ecology style studies of urban ecosystems. The author introduces three social dimensions that should be added to characteristics defining urban gradients: 1) land use, 2) land management effort, 3) historical context. It has a nice discussion/table illustrating historical social changes/happenings affecting urban ecology. The article is a nice discussion of gradient related social issues but does not really meet our current needs/ thoughts on 'social functionality'.
Ehrenfeld, J. 2000. Evaluating wetlands within an urban context. Urban Ecosystems 4(69-85.
Erickson, D. L., Ryan, R. L. and De Young, R. 2002. Woodlots in the rural landscape: landowner motivations and management attitudes in a Michigan (USA) case study. Landscape and Urban Planning 58(101-112.
social functionality, social survey methods, social functionality
This study seeks to explain and understand what is important to and motivates landowners of rural, non-industrial private forests (NIPFs). The amount of forest in the Michigan study areas is increasing, mainly because of a change in who is buying these lands. A mail-survey is used to assess the motivations behind ownership of these NIPFs. Results indicated that aesthetic reasons and environmental protection ranked highest among landowner reasons for retaining forest on their lands, economic benefits ranked 3rd. 'Wildlife habitat' and 'add beauty' were the highest rated individual items. While the overall trend was the same for both groups (1.aesthetic/2.environmental protection/3.economic) farmers rated economic reasons higher than non-farmers. The survey also explored owners views, effortsand knowledge about management of these areas. It is another good social survey source both in terms of examples of results/questions and for refs and methods of developing survey; also interesting for results--ranking of motivations, but may be very different in an area closer to lg city (or in the study site in 20yrs). It also highlight benefits/importance of private forest patches.
Ewing, R. H. 1994. Characteristics, causes and effects of sprawl: a literature review. Environmental and Urban Issues Winter 1994): 1-15.
Sprawl, review, social functionality
The physical characteristics, causes, and effects of sprawl must b understood before sprawl acan be effectively regulated. Relying on the literature in the field, this paper provides a conceptual framework against which DCA's proposed sprawl rule can be judged an upon which the final rule can rest. Review includes 'costs of sprawl' references including 'psychic costs' which relate to social functionality
Filion, P., Bunting, T. and Warriner, K. 1999. The entrenchment of urban dispersion: residential preferences and location patterns in the dispersed city. Urban Studies 36(8): 1317-1347.
sprawl, theoretical framework
This article may aid us in defining our gradient and understanding the pattern of forest patches.
Geoghegan, J., Wainger, L. A. and Bockstael, N. E. 1997. Spatial landscape indices in a hedonic framework: an ecological economics analysis using GIS. Ecological Economics 23(3): 251-264.
hedonic price model, open space, economic functionality
This paper presents a hedonic price model for residential property in the Washington DC area. The researchers used spatial data from a GIS datavase to develop landscape indices to include in this mode, specifically the diversity and fragmentation indices within a 0.1 and 1.0 km radius. The analysis indicates that within a 0.1 km radius, the effect of percentage open space is significant and positive, but within a 1.0 km radius, the effect is significant and negative. The authors suggest that the latter effect is due to the absence of urban services. In the larger buffer, forestry and agricultural uses also tend to decrease propert values.
Geoghegan, J. 2002. The value of open spaces in residential land use. Land Use Policy 19(91-98.
hedonic price model, open space, ecological functionality
This article presents a hedonic price model for Howard County, MD, to demonstrate the differences in the effects of "permanent" and "developable" open space. The results show that the effects of "permanent" open space on property values are approximately three times greater than the effects of "developable" open space.
Germann-Chiari, C. and Seeland, K. 2003. Are urban green spaces optimally distributed to act as places for social integration? Results of a geographical information system (GIS) approach for urban forestry research. Forest Policy and Economics Social integration, urban green spaces, urban forestry, geographical information system (GIS), census, social functionality, method
Abstract only, article in press. Method of integrating census data with urban green space data should be worth looking at.
The objective of this ongoing research is to analyse the social potential of urban green spaces to create opportunities to integrate youths, elderly people, foreigners, unemployed and other social groups into the urban life of large Swiss agglomerations. Urban green-space data are linked with social demographic datat for these particular social groups. Three large cities in the different language regions of Switzerland have been selected for a comparative study: Geneva (French-speaking), Lugano(Italian-speaking) and Zurich (German-speaking). The green-space data derived from vector25, the digital landscape model in a vector format of the Swiss Federal Office of Topography, and the social demographic data from the 1990 Swiss census are compiled for further processing with the geographical information systems ArcInfo and ArcView. In this way, a contribution to the development of a GIS-based research methodology is made. The goal of this approach is to obtain a highly aggregated planning tool for urban forestry and green-space development.
Goulder, L. H. and Kennedy, D. Valuing ecosystem services: philosophical bases and empirical methods. ask Marina: 23-47.
Grove, J. M. and Burch, W. R., Jr. 1997. A social ecology approach and applications of urban and landscape analyses: a case study of Baltimore, Maryland. Urban Ecosystems 1(259-275.
theory, theoretical framework
A good account of the history of 'urban ecology' and how its roots began at the same time as plant and animal ecology but was primarily viewed apart from it 'human ecology'. Authors now stress move back to this linkage but considering humans as one would any other social creature. Case is made that neither strict 'ecology' approaches nor straight sociological approaches are adequate to answer urban ecology questions, a middle-ground or combination of the two are needed. One example question is very similar to our research interests. The article is a good source for theory and background sort of a justification/history of urban ecology approach. As mentioned above, one of their example ?s is very close to what we are trying to do. They also provide examples of how different info can be meshed together using gis (nothing earth shattering); my favorite quote: 'However, a common confusion among many life scientists who do not study people or other social species is that measurements of human communities are difficult if not impossible....' so take heart DAJA!
Guntenspergen, G. R. and Levenson, J. B. 1997. Understory plant species composition in remnant stands along an urban-to-rural land-use gradient. Urban Ecosystems 1(155-169.
gradient, urban gradient, ecological functionality, vegetative community
The article appears to be very applicable to our study in terms of vegetation in remnant forest patches as well as the use of urban gradient.
Harwell, C. C., Deren, C. W., Snyder, G. H., Soliecki, W. D., Wilson, J. and Harwell, M. A. 1999. Use of a conceptual model of societal drivers of ecological change in South Florida: Implications of an ecosystem management scenario. Urban Ecosystems 3(345-358.
human-dominated ecosystem, conceptual model, restoration scenarios, societal implications, social functionality
This is really an article that only peripherally applied to our project. It breaks societal factors down into ownership, use and control of resources, and policy. Societal drivers are another category that includs values, technology, economy, population, and institutions. A third category is 'quality of life' that deals with access, income, employment, and the willingness of the public to live in a 'low impact' manner. The article is really aimed at the assessment of restoration efforts and potential in Florida. Therefore, the aim of the study differs from ours. The value comes in the way in which the factors affecting restoration are organized and identified.
Hepinstall, J. A., Marzluff, J. M., Handcock, M. S. and Hurvitz, P. 2003. Incorporating resource utilization distributions into the study of resource selection: dealing with spatial autocorrelation. Draft habitat selection, habitat use, kernel, multiple regression, resource selection, resource utilization function, Stellar's jay, spatial autocorrelation, utilization distribution, spatial data
methods
It examines and raises issues we willl have to deal with in terms of the spatial nature of our data. The article assumes a large amount of knowledge in terms of typically utilized methodologies for manipulating and understanding spatial data. We will likely be better served just talking to Jeff. An additional 'take home' message of the article is that the quality of an estimation is truly reflective of the quality of data on which it is based. As obvious as it seems, it is a good thing to keep in mind when you begin using data in more abstract manners.
Hostetler, M. and Holling, C. S. 2000. Detecting the scales at which birds respond to structure in urban landscapes. Urban Ecosystems 4(25-54.
Hostetler, M. and Knowles-Yanez, K. 2002. Land use, scale, and bird distributions in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Landscape and Urban Planning 936(1-14.
Innes, J. E. and Booher, D. E. 1999. Metropolitan development as a complex system: A new approach to sustainability. Economic Develpoment Quarterly 13(2): 141-156.
urban development, sustainable development, land use, metropolitan areas, theoretical framework, complex systems
It provides a general description of complex systems and argues that complexity theory is an appropriate framework within which to examine urban systems. " a conception of the social, political, and economic world as a complex, self-organizing, adaptive system, parallel to those being identified in the physical and biological sciences, .." California is used as an illustration of the complexity of urban systems and to illustrate the limitations of current/past approaches. It includes a limited literature review. The article ultimately takes a final step arguing that complex systems provide new insights to sustainability. The application of the framework is broken into 3 parts: indicators (system indicators, performance measures, rapid feedback), consensus building, and leadership. The application ideals are just that, Ideal. While good points are brought up, they are not terribly practical. Other articles may be better descriptions of complex systems.
Iverson, L. R. and Cook, E. A. 2000. Urban forest cover of the Chicago region and its relation to household density and income. Urban Ecosystems 4(105-124.
economic functionality, social functionality, remote sensing
This paper describes efforts to use LandSat Thematic Mapper data to identify landcover classes. Landcover for the greater Chicago area is then inventoried, paying particular attention to urban vegetation. Methods for classifying and utilizing LandSat TM data are described. Also discusses the successes of forest preserve systems for retaining forests in highly urbanized, high density communities. Also correlate landcover data with household number and income data, nothing shocking found--i.e. amount of forestland inversely related to number of households. Overall, it is a good remote sensing method paper and example of the type of work we might need to do. Findings of interest or relevant to our study include that wealthy regions had higher tree cover while poorer had lower tree cover.
Johansson, S. 2002. Conceptualizing and measuring quality of life for national policy. Social Indicators Research 58(13-32.
social functionality
This appears to be useful for thinking about and measuring social functionality.
Johnson, D. G. 2002. The declining importance of natural resources: lessons from agricultural land. Resource and Energy Economics 24(157-171.
Jokimäki, J. 1999. Occurrence of breeding bird species in urban parks: Effects of park structure and broad-scale variables. Urban Ecosystems 3(21-34.
ecological functionality
This article appears to apply directly to our potential use of birds to characterize the ecological functionality of forest patches/green space. Even if we choose to use a measure other than birds, the article should be helpful in thinking about the structure of green spaces.
Jorgensen, A., Hitchmough, J. and Calvert, T. 2002. Woodland spaces and edges: their impact on perception of safety and preference. Landscape and Urban Planning 60(135-150.
social functionality, safety
This article speaks directly to some of the issues we have been thinking about as social functionality such as preceived vs. real safety issues.
Kaplan, S. (1995). The urban forest as a source of psychological well-being. Urban Forest Landscapes: integrating multidisciplinary perspectives. G. A. Bradley. Seattle, University of Washington Press: 100-108.
Kearney, A. R. and Bradley, G. 1998. Human dimensions of forest management: an empirical study of stakeholder perspectives. Urban Ecosystems 2(5-16.
human dimensions, forest management, cognitive mapping, social functionality
The authors present findings on and describe methods for measuring stakeholders opinions/values in how they think about certain issues, in this case human dimensions of forest management. The 3CM method of cognitive mapping is used to evaluate how 3 different stakeholders in forest management view this topic. Three human dimensions were common to all stakeholders although how each defined these dimensions differed. Of note is the fact that social cycles, community well-being, and social stability (i.e. Sense of Place/Community) did not emerge as 'salient concepts in the view of forest stakeholders. It is a good illustration of the use of cognitive mapping, probably not what we want to do. However, results are interesting and of some note to us: idea that no mention of sense of place type concepts emerged from stakeholders and that these concepts are not widely considered or understood outside of academia and therefore will have little influence over decisions. Also a nice discussion of switch in management direction from solely resource production to managing for multiple values (in intro)
Lawrence, H. W. (1995). Changing forms and persistent values: historical perspectives on the urban forest. Urban Forest Landscapes: integrating multidisciplinary perspectives. G. A. Bradley. Seattle, University of Washington Press: 17-40.
Loeb, R. E. 1998. Urban ecosystem management and change during the past millennium: a cast study from New York City. Urban Ecosystems 2(17-26.
urban ecology
Luck, M. and Wu, J. 2002. A gradient analysis of urban landscape pattern: a case study from the Phoenix metropolitan region, Arizona, USA. Landscape Ecology 17(327-339.
urban gradient, gradient analysis, landscape pattern, landscape metrics
Integrates gradient analysis with landscape pattern metrics. Potential methods for measuring location on urban gradient.
Ludwig, D. 2000. Limitations of economic valuation of ecosystems. Ecosystems 3(1): 31-35.
economic valuation, economic functionality
In this article, the author describes some objections to the valuation of ecosystem services. Overall, he notes that personal and social values are often of higher importance than economic values. In addition, many economic methods have significant simplifying assumptions and internal flaws that cast doubt on their validity. In addition, the use of market data or surveys is often inapprorpiate for decisions that involve important ecological questions, as they do not describe how the public should behave in these circumstances.
McDonnell, M. J., Pickett, S. T. A., Groffman, P., Bohlen, P., Pouyat, R. V., Zipperer, W. C., Parmelee, R. W., Carreiro, M. M. and Medley, K. 1997. Ecosystem processes along an urban-to-rural gradient. Urban Ecosystems 1(21-36.
ecological functionality, urban gradient
McDonnell (1997)
This article summarizes the results of a study on the functioning of red oak stands on similar soil types along an urban-rural gradient from New York City, NY, to Litchfield County, CT. Overall, the gradient is defined as being very complex. The analysis indicates that forests in more urbanized areas exhibit unique characteristics, probably due to stressors in the urban environment.ecological functionality, urban gradient
McKinney, M. L. 2002. Urbanization, biodiversity, and conservation. Bioscience 52(10): 883-890.
gradient, ecological functionality, ecological, forest patch
A very good review article and synthesis on the need for studies of biodiversity in urbanizing areas and the general trends found in previous studies: the urban-rural gradient; diversity trends along urban-rural gradient; species composition trends along the gradient (urban avoiders, urban adapters, and urban exploiters) and the role and importance of urban ecology studies in promoting an educated public.
It is a great lit review article and source for us to get lit. on previous studies on biodiversity and urbanization, species diversity and remnant forest patch size, etc.
McPherson, E. G., Nowak, D., Heisler, G., Grimmond, S., Souch, C., Grant, R. and Rowntree, R. 1997. Quantifying urban forest structure, function, and value: the Chicago Urban Forest Climate Project. Urban Ecosystems 1(49-61.
ecological functionality, economic functionality, social functionality, ecological, economic, social
This paper discusses the benefits of forest patches in urban areas. The primary focus is on exploring the services trees provide: removing pollutants from the air, carbon sequestration, and energy saving for building (heating and cooling costs). A cost/benefit analysis found that the cost of tree planting and care were outweighed 2:1 by the energy saving benefits they provided. This paper offers some interesting views of the functionality of trees and converts the heating/cooling/pollutant removing/carbon sequestering functions of trees to a dollar value. While this is not necessarily what we want to do, considering these services is worth talking about. Use data from the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission for socioeconomic variables--do we have a similar source besides census data?
Miller, T. I. and Miller Kobayashi, M. 2000. Citizen surveys: how to do them how to use them, what they mean. International City/Community Management Association
social, survey, methods, social functionality
Niemelä, J. 1999. Is there a need for a theory of urban ecology? Urban Ecosystems 3(57-65.
theory, gradient
Paper addresses the fundamental differences between traditionally studied 'rural' ecosystems and urban ecosystems. Given these differences, is a new, distinct theory of urban ecology needed? Authors say no, because these systems can be studied using existing theories (i.e. metapopulations theory, landscape ecology). Including human aspect of urban ecosystems is important however (human ecosystem model). This includes considering social components of human systems that have connections to ecology.
It is a good fundamental urb. eco paper, discusses a little of everything-gradients, etc. not particularly useful for any of our functionalities but rather in a theory/history/justification section.
Nyberg, J. (2002). Planned Communities and the Smart Growth Movement.
Ovaskainen, O. 2002. The effective size of a metapopulation living in a heterogeneous patch network. The American Naturalist 160(5): 612 (17).
Parkins, J. R., Stedman, R. C. and Varghese, J. 2001. Moving towards local-level indicators of sustainability in forest-based communities: a mixed-method approach. Social Indicators Research 56(43-72.
forest communities, indicators
The article appears to provide an example of the use of indicators and multiple methodologies to assess forest sustainability.
Paterson, R. W. and Boyle, K. J. 2002. Out of sight, out of mind? Using GIS to incorporate visibility in hedonic property value models. Land Economics 78(3): 417-425.
hedonic price model, open space, forest patches, economic functionality, economic
The authors of this paper used GIS data to estimate the visibility of certain types of land cover from parcels of property in Simsbury/Avon, CT. This information was incorporated into a hedonic regression, to assess whether visibility of certain cover would have an impact on the sale price of a house. Although the explanatory power of the model did not increase with the addition of visibility into the model, some of the visibility variables did appear to be significant. Most surprising, however, was that a view of forested lands in the model was negatively correlated to housing price.
Pickett, S. T. A., Cadenasso, M. L., Grove, J. M., Nilon, C. H., Pouyat, R. V., Zipperer, W. C. and Costanza, R. 2001. Urban Ecological Systems: Linking terrestrial ecological, physical, and socioeconomic components of metropolitan areas. Annual Review of Ecologic Systems 32(127-157.
urban ecology, theory, theoretical framework
This article is a good overview of the need to encorporate multiple functionalities of urban systems.
Riddel, M. 2001. A dynamic approach to estimating hedonic prices for environmental goods: an application to open space purchase. Land Economics 77(4): 494-512.
hedonic price model, open space, economic functionality, economic
An issue with hedonic price models is that the housing market often exhibits slow adjustments to system shocks. In addition, the resulting changes in other systems, such as the labor market, can induce further changes in housing prices over time. As a result, the effects of certain changes on housing prices may vary over time. This paper details the efforts to link models of housing and labor markets together for the Boulder, CO area. The results demonstrate that feedback within the system changes the apparent effect that preserved greenspace will have on housing values over time.
Roovers, P., Hermy, M. and Gulinck, H. 2002. Visitor profile, perceptions and expectations in forests from a gradient of increasing urbanisation in central Belgium. Landscape and Urban Planning 59(129-145.
gradient, urban gradient, social functionality
The article appears to be a good source of methodological approaches to assessing social functionality in an urbanizing system.
Schiller, A. and Horn, S. P. 1997. Wildlife conservation in urban greenways of the mid-southwestern United States. Urban Ecosystems 1(103-116.
ecological functionality
Sirgy, M. J. and Cornwell, T. 2002. How neighborhood features affect quality of life. Social Indicators Research 59(79-114.
social functionality, quality of life
In this article, the authors attempt to describe three possible models to describe the interaction between neighbourhood features and quality of life / happiness. Surveys were conducted in communities in southwest VA to assess these models. Two models are discounted: that meditative effects lead to contentment with a neighbourhood and consequently, with one's own life; and that quality of life is addressed through hierarchical effects, from neighbourhood to housing to home to personal satisfaction. The model that is supported is that both satisfaction with community and housing satisfaction relate to life satisfaction.
Smith, V. K., Poulos, C. and Kim, H. 2002. Treating open space as an urban amenity. Resource and Energy Economics 24(107-129.
hedonic price model, open space, economic functionality
This article creates a hedonic price model for Northern Wake County, NC, to examine the differences in the effects of fixed and developable open space. Five models are created for time periods between 1980 and 1998. Within this model, private vacant land and golf courses are viewed as amenities for a neighborhood, while public open space is calculated as a disamenity.
Solecki, W. D., Long, J., Harwell, C. C., Myers, V. and Zubrow, E. 1999. Human-environment interactions in South Florida's Everglades region: Systems of ecological degradation and restoration. Urban Ecosystems 3(305-343.
predrainage Everglades, geologic anc climatic process, regional hydrology, natural disturbances, social functionality, policy, historical analysis
The article appears to provide an example of how one study has approached the human element/interaction with ecological factors.
Thorsnes, P. 2002. The value of a suburban forest preserve: estimates from sales of vacant residential building lots. Land Economics 78(3): 426-441.
hedonic price model, open space, forest patches, economic functionality
This paper assesses the effects that undeveloped patches of forest has had on the prices of houses and housing lots in three subdivisions in the Grand Rapids, MI area. The hedonic models created for this assessment revealed that undeveloped parcels directly adjacent to the forest patch sell for a premium, but parcels further away are not influenced. This effect was also observed for developed parcels, but the effect was not as strong.
Towne, M. A. 1998. Open space conservation in urban environmental: lessons from Thousand Oaks, California. Urban Ecosystems 2(85-101.
Tyrväinen, L. 1997. The amenity value of the urban forest: an application of the hedonic pricing method. Landscape and Urban Planning 37(211-222.
economics, hedonic price model, urban forest, forest patches, economic functionality
This article uses apartment sales data from Joensuu, Finland, in a hedonic price model to define the economic benefits dervied from the non-consumptive use of urban forests. The analysis indicates that the quality of natural areas can significantly affect prices. This includes proximity to wooded recreational areas and increasing proportions of forested area within a neighbourhood. The effect of small forested parks in a neighbourhood is unclear, however.
Tyrväinen, L. and Väänänen, H. 1998. The economic value of urban forest amenities: an application of the contingent valuation method. Landscape and Urban Planning 43(105-118.
economics, contingent valuation, urban forests, forest patches, economic functionality
This article assesses the benefits of urban forests in Joensuu, Finland, with the use of the contingent valuation method (CVM). Issues regarding the use of surveys to identify preferences and willingness to pay are discussed. The research concludes that while willingness to pay changes with season, area and location, residents are willing to pay for the use of forests, and are also willing to pay to prevent the conversion of forests to other uses. This may differ, however, based on environment and cultural values.
Tyrväinen, L. and Miettinen, A. 2000. Property prices and urban forest amenities. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 39(205-223.
hedonic price model, forest patches, economic functionality
This study implicitly values the amenity of urban forests in the district of Salo, Finland, with the use of a hedonic regression model. The results suggest that a one kilometer increase in distance from an urban forest results in a 5.9 percent decrease in the sale value of the house, and that dwellings in the area with a view are about 4.9% more expensive.
Wickham, J. D., O'Neill, R. V. and B., J. K. 2000. Forest fragmentation as an economic indicator. Landscape Ecology 15(171-179.
economic geography, geographic information systems (GIS), land-cover change, land use modeling, urban gradient, economic functionality
Geographic gradient of urbanization pressure, or demand for land, was calculated using splining based on "distance-decay" and "retail gravity" theory. Basically they built a surface map of urbanization pressure based on the population:distance ratio from multiple urban centers. This gradient was 'moderately' correlated with forest fragmentation (grid analysis) and 'strongly' correlated with land-cover change (NDVI). They speculate that forest pattern was also influenced by local and historical factors (unexplained variation). The building of a geographic gradient might be a useful technique.
Wilhelmsson, M. 2000. The impact of traffic noise on the values of single-family houses. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 43(6): 799-815.
Wilson, J. D., Kohlhase, J. E. and Strawn, S. 1999. Quality of life and comparative risk in Houston. Urban Ecosystems 3(113-129.
Wu, J. and Loucks, O. L. 1995. From balance of nature to hierarchical patch dynamics: a paradigm shift in ecology. The Quarterly Review of Biology 70(4): 439-466.
patch dynamics, hierarchy, theoretical framework
This provides a good review of complex systems theory. It takes the ideas further than Innes adn Booher (1999), in that it adds the concepts of hierarchy and patch dynamics. The argument is made that complex systems are hierarchically orbanized. This leads to two key points: (1) a focal level can be defined; and (2) once a focal level is defined the relevance of other time/space processes can be determined. Another strenght of this article is the fact that the theory is applied as part of the Pheonix LTER. It explains how the theory is used to build and relate models and how patch hierarhcies are defined and scales changed.
Wu, J. and David, J. L. 2002. A spatially explicit hierarchical approach to modeling complex ecological systems: theory and applications. Ecological Modelling 153(7-26.
complex systems modeling, hierarchical patch dynamics, hierarchical modeling, scaling, urban landscape ecology, theoretical framework, complex systems, hierarchy
Read: Adrienne
This article provides a good review of complex systems theory. It takes the ideas further than Innes and Booher (1999), in that it adds the concepts of hierarchy and patch dynamics. The argument is made that complex systems are hierarchically organized. This leads to two key points: (1) a focal level can be defined; and (2) once a focal level is defined the relevance of other time/space scale processes can be determined. Another strength of this article is the fact that the theory is applied as part of current research in the Phoenix LTER. It explains how the theory is used to build and relate models and how patch hierarchies are defined and scales changed.
Zipperer, W. C., Sisinni, S. M., Pouyat, R. V. and Foresman, T. W. 1997. Urban tree cover: an ecological perspective. Urban Ecosystems 1(229-246.