Coastal
Resource Inventory Tutorial
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More | Metadata | Links | Legend | Larger
Map
3.
Learn More About Urban Growth
What
is it?
The urban growth map highlights where development has occurred since
1985. "Developed" land, in this study, refers to areas
that are primarily covered with human structures such as roofs,
roads
and
parking lots - areas likely to have a high percentage of impervious
cover (see inventory data layer #5).
We have also included on this map the study's "Turf and Grass"
category, which represents groomed grassy areas like lawns and parks
that are closely associated with developed land. This data is derived
from LandSat satellite imagery, which analyzes the landscape in "pixels,"
or squares that are about 100 feet to a side. Thus, the resolution
of this information makes it suitable for town level analyses, but
not
to study landscape details at the site level. Much more information
on both the use and limits of CLEAR's satellite data, and on the definitions
of "developed" areas, can be found on the project
website. As can be seen from the map legend, the different colors
represent new development that occurred during the three time periods
of the study, 1985-1990, 1990- 1995 and 1995 to 2002. Dark gray depicts
areas that were developed before 1985.
Why
is it important?
In
general, as land use intensifies so do the threats to nearby natural
resources. Certainly many of the major threats to Connecticut's coastal
resources - polluted runoff, physical disturbance, and even invasive
species - can be traced to the direct or indirect impacts of urbanization.
Knowing where, when and how much developed land has been added in the
recent past can give town officials clues as to how their regulations
are guiding development with regard to coastal resource areas. It may
also point the way toward where remedial measures or restoration might
be needed. Conversely, looking at remaining natural lands within the
overall pattern of recent development might help to prioritize areas
for preservation as open space
What
else should I consider?
These maps show "land cover," what is physically on the ground
(forested land, developed land). This is to be distinguished from "land
use," which is what is practiced or planned for a given
location (residential, park), and is perhaps more familiar
to most people.
Thus,
the colored areas on these maps will not tell the viewer whether
the use is heavy industrial, strip commercial or residential,
nor, or course,
whether any mitigating factors such as best management practices
have been put in place.
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