Investigating the role of spatial spillovers as determinants of land conversion in urbanizing Canada

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Feng Qiu ◽  
Qingmeng Tong ◽  
Junbiao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Spillover Effects ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Land Conversion ◽  
Road Density ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Spatial Spillovers ◽  
Resource Governance ◽  
Natural Land ◽  
Regional Partnership

Abstract Although the impacts of income, population growth, and other important determinants of land-use change have been widely studied, there is less understanding of how spatial spillovers matter. Utilizing a spatial econometric approach, we investigate the main determinants of natural landscape conversion, focusing on quantifying local and global spatial spillovers. The empirical investigation applies to the Edmonton Metropolitan Region and the Calgary Regional Partnership in Canada. Key results include: (1) determinants of land conversion have significant spillover effects; (2) income, population density, road density, natural land endowment and land suitability for agriculture are all found to have influences on natural land conversion both in the own and neighboring areas; and (3) local (i.e., within the immediate neighboring areas) and global (in the entire study region) spillovers are different in strength and direction. Our work provides useful information for understanding the spillover issues in land conservation, resource governance, and optimal conservation design.

The implications of climate change on residential water use: a micro-scale analysis of Portland (OR), USA

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Shandas ◽  
Meenakshi Rao ◽  
Moriah McSharry McGrath
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Residential Water Use ◽  
Residential Water

Social and behavioral research is crucial for securing environmental sustainability and improving human living environments. Although the majority of people now live in urban areas, we have limited empirical evidence of the anticipated behavioral response to climate change. Using empirical data on daily household residential water use and temperature, our research examines the implications of future climate conditions on water conservation behavior in 501 households within the Portland (OR) metropolitan region. We ask whether and how much change in ambient temperatures impact residential household water use, while controlling for taxlot characteristics. Based on our results, we develop a spatially explicit description about the changes in future water use for the study region using a downscaled future climate scenario. The results suggest that behavioral responses are mediated by an interaction of household structural attributes, and magnitude and temporal variability of weather parameters. These findings have implications for the way natural resource managers and planning bureaus prepare for and adapt to future consequences of climate change.

Short visits reveal consistent patterns of interyear and intercolony variation in seabird nestling diet and performance

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 2190-2199 ◽  
Author(s):  
D F Bertram ◽  
T Golumbia ◽  
G K Davoren ◽  
A Harfenist ◽  
J Brown
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Large Contribution ◽  
Fish Prey ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Nestling Growth ◽  
Nestling Development ◽  
Nestling Diet

To investigate the utility of short visits to seabird colonies to gauge nestling growth performance and diet, in 4 consecutive years (1995–1998) we measured nestling development and diet of Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) at three colonies in British Columbia: Seabird Rocks, Triangle Island, and SGaang Gwaii (Anthony Island). In all years, nestlings of a given wing length on Triangle Island were significantly smaller than those on Seabird Rocks or SGaang Gwaii. Meals were also significantly lighter on Triangle Island than on Seabird Rocks or SGaang Gwaii; meals on the latter two islands were indistinguishable in mass. Retarded nestling development and small meal size on Triangle Island likely reflect the large contribution of rockfish (Sebastes spp.) to nestling diet on that colony alone. The intercolony differences in nestling performance appear to reflect the strong influence of local fish prey populations. Nonetheless, a united decline in performance in 1996 and subsequent increase on all colonies suggest the influence of large-scale ocean climate phenomena on our entire study region and beyond. We did not, however, observe noticeable effects of the 1997–1998 El Niño Southern Oscillation event on nestling growth performance or diet. We discuss the utility of our short-visit techniques for seabird-monitoring programs.

scholarly journals Spatial Paradigms in Road Networks and Their Delimitation of Urban Boundaries Based on KDE

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuying Lin ◽  
Xisheng Hu ◽  
Mingshui Lin ◽  
Rongzu Qiu ◽  
Jinguo Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Data ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Road Networks ◽  
Spatial Data Analysis ◽  
Easy Method ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Depth Analysis

An in-depth analysis of urban road network distribution plays a critical role in understanding the urbanization process. However, effective ways to quantitatively analyze the spatial paradigms of road networks are still lacking, and few studies have utilized road networks to rapidly identify urban areas of a region. Thus, using a fast-developing region in the south-eastern costal region of China, Fuzhou City, as a case, we introduced kernel density estimation (KDE) to characterize road networks and quantified the area’s spatial heterogeneity using exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) and semivariance analysis (SA). The results show that there is an uneven spatial distribution of the networks both at the regional and downtown levels. At the regional level, there is a conspicuous polarization in the road distribution, with the KDE being much higher in the urban areas than in the rural areas; at the downtown level, the KDE gradually decreases from the center to the periphery. Quantitatively, the ranges of the spatial dependence of the networks are approximately 25 km for the entire study region and 12 km for the downtown area. Additionally, the spatial variations vary among different directions, with greater variations in the northeast–southwest and the southeast–northwest directions compared with the other directions, which is in line with the urban sprawl policy of the study area. Both the qualitative and quantitative results show that the distribution of road networks has a clear urban–rural dual structure, which indicates that road networks can be an active tool in identifying the urban areas of a region. To this end, we propose a quick and easy method to delimit urban areas using KDE. The extraction results of KDE are better than those of the index-based built-up index (IBI), indicating the effectivity and feasibility of our proposed method to identify the urban areas in the region. This research sheds new light on urbanization development research.

scholarly journals Riparian Bird Community Structure in Portland, Oregon: Habitat, Urbanization, and Spatial Scale Patterns

The Condor ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 288-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori A. Hennings ◽  
W. Daniel Edge
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Urban Canopy ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Road Density ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Neotropical Migrant

Abstract In 1999, we surveyed breeding bird and plant communities along 54 streams in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan region to link bird community metrics with structural and spatial characteristics of urban riparian areas. Canonical correspondence analysis produced two explanatory axes relating to vegetation and road density. Total and non-native bird abundance was higher in narrow forests. Native bird abundance was greater in narrow forests surrounded by undeveloped lands; native species richness and diversity were greater in less-developed areas. Native resident and short-distance-migrant abundance was higher in narrow forests, and diversity was positively associated with developed lands. Neotropical migrant abundance, richness, and diversity were greater in open-canopied areas with fewer roads. We examined spatial relationships by regressing bird variables on satellite-derived forest canopy cover, area of undeveloped lands, and street density in a series of 50-m buffers within a 500-m radius around study sites. Non-native bird abundance decreased with increasing canopy cover within 450 m, but most other relationships were strongest at smaller scales (50–100 m). Our results suggest that increasing urban canopy cover is the most valuable land management action for conserving native breeding birds. A hierarchical scheme for Neotropical migrant conservation might include increasing forest canopy within 450 m of streams to control non-native species and cowbirds; reducing street density within a 100-m radius of streams; and conserving or planting onsite native trees and shrubs. Estructura de Comunidades Riparias de Aves en Portland, Oregon: Hábitat, Urbanización y Patrones de Escala Espacial Resumen. Censamos las comunidades de aves reproductivas y plantas a lo largo de 54 arroyos en el área metropolitana de Portland, Oregon en 1999 para conectar medidas de comunidades de aves con características estructurales y espaciales de zonas riparias urbanas. Análisis de correspondencia canónica produjeron dos ejes explicativos relacionados con la vegetación y la densidad de carreteras. La abundancia total de aves y la de aves no nativas fueron mayores en bosques estrechos. La abundancia de aves nativas fue mayor en bosques estrechos rodeados por terrenos rurales y la riqueza y diversidad de especies fueron mayores en áreas menos desarrolladas. La abundancia de residentes nativas y migratorias de corta distancia fue mayor en bosques estrechos y su diversidad estuvo asociada positivamente con terrenos desarrollados. La abundancia, riqueza y diversidad de las migratorias neotropicales fueron mayores en áreas de dosel abierto y con pocas carreteras. Examinamos las relaciones espaciales mediante regresiones entre variables de aves y la cobertura del dosel derivada de imágenes satelitales, el área de terrenos sin desarrollar y la densidad de calles en una serie de áreas de 50 m de ancho en un radio de 500 m alrededor de los sitios de estudio. La abundancia de aves no nativas disminuyó con aumentos en la cobertura del dosel hasta 450 m, pero la mayoría de las demás relaciones fueron más fuertes a escalas menores (50–100 m). Nuestros resultados sugieren que el incremento de la cobertura del dosel en áreas urbanas es la estrategia de manejo más valiosa para conservar las aves nativas que se reproducen en el área. Un esquema jerárquico para la conservación de las migratorias neotropicales podría incluir aumentar la cobertura de bosque a menos de 450 m de los arroyos para controlar a las especies no nativas y a los Molothrus, reducir la densidad de calles dentro de un radio de 100 m alrededor de los arroyos y conservar o plantar árboles y arbustos nativos.

scholarly journals Macrolevel Traffic Crash Analysis: A Spatial Econometric Model Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaohua Wang ◽  
Yanyan Chen ◽  
Jianling Huang ◽  
Ning Chen ◽  
Yao Lu
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Spillover Effects ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Spatial Autoregression ◽  
Road Density ◽  
Traffic Crashes ◽  
Spatial Error ◽  
Spatial Lag Model ◽  
Spatial Weight

This study presents a spatial approach for the macrolevel traffic crashes analysis based on point-of-interest (POI) data and other related data from an open source. The spatial autoregression is explored by Moran’s I Index with three spatial weight features (i.e., (a) Rook, (b) Queen, and (c) Euclidean distance). The traditional Ordinary Least Square (OLS) model, the Spatial Lag Model (SLM), the Spatial Error Model (SEM), and the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) were developed to describe the spatial correlations among 2,114 Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs) of Tianjin, one of the four municipalities in China. Results of the models indicated that the SDM with the Rook spatial weight feature is found to be the optimal spatial model to characterize the relationship of various variables and crashes. The results show that population density, consumption density, intersection density, and road density have significantly positive influence on traffic crashes, whereas company density, hotel density, and residential density have significant but negative effects in the local TAZ. The spillover effects coefficient of population density and road density are positive, indicating that the increase of these variables in the surrounding TAZs will lead to the increase of crashes in the target zone. The impacts of company density and hotel density are just the opposite. In general, the research findings can help transportation planners and managers better understand the general characteristics of traffic crashes and improve the situation of traffic security.

Adaptive capacity and regional water governance in north-western Germany

Water Policy ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 794-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Grecksch
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Salt Water Intrusion ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Study Region

Successful adaptation to climate change requires flexible adaptation strategies which consider regional ecological, economic and social circumstances. Coastal zones are considered to be significantly vulnerable to climate change impacts. The projected impacts of climate change in the metropolitan region of Bremen–Oldenburg, Germany (a coastal area), are, for example, rising sea level, salt water intrusion, temporary groundwater scarcity in the summer and increased (heavy) rainfalls. This paper uses an existing framework, the Adaptive Capacity Wheel (ACW), complemented by two additional dimensions: adaptation motivation and adaptation belief. The objectives were first, to assess the adaptive capacity of water governance in the study region, and second, to show how the ACW can be used as an approach and a communication tool with stakeholders to identify strengths and weaknesses. Based on this, a further objective was to discover what lessons and recommendations can be drawn that could help water experts and stakeholders in the future. The results show a high adaptive capacity and that the addition of the psychological dimensions was valuable. However, it is important to look closely at each dimension assessed by the ACW. The key recommendations are: to improve public participation; to ensure better coordination; to raise awareness; and to reduce the lack of political will to overcome adaptation barriers.

scholarly journals Analysis of the spatial variation in the parameters of the SWAT model with application in Flanders, Northern Belgium

2004 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 931-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Heuvelmans ◽  
B. Muys ◽  
J. Feyen
Keyword(s):  
Stream Flow ◽  
Hydrological Model ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Single Parameter ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Parameter Values ◽  
Parameter Approach

Abstract. Operational applications of a hydrological model often require the prediction of stream flow in (future) time periods without stream flow observations or in ungauged catchments. Data for a case-specific optimisation of model parameters are not available for such applications, so parameters have to be derived from other catchments or time periods. It has been demonstrated that for applications of the SWAT in Northern Belgium, temporal transfers of the parameters have less influence than spatial transfers on the performance of the model. This study examines the spatial variation in parameter optima in more detail. The aim was to delineate zones wherein model parameters can be transferred without a significant loss of model performance. SWAT was calibrated for 25 catchments that are part of eight larger sub-basins of the Scheldt river basin. Two approaches are discussed for grouping these units in zones with a uniform set of parameters: a single parameter approach considering each parameter separately and a parameter set approach evaluating the parameterisation as a whole. For every catchment, the SWAT model was run with the local parameter optima, with the average parameter values for the entire study region (Flanders), with the zones delineated with the single parameter approach and with the zones obtained by the parameter set approach. Comparison of the model performances of these four parameterisation strategies indicates that both the single parameter and the parameter set zones lead to stream flow predictions that are more accurate than if the entire study region were treated as one single zone. On the other hand, the use of zonal average parameter values results in a considerably worse model fit compared to local parameter optima. Clustering of parameter sets gives a more accurate result than the single parameter approach and is, therefore, the preferred technique for use in the parameterisation of ungauged sub-catchments as part of the simulation of a large river basin. Keywords: hydrological model, regionalisation, parameterisation, spatial variability

scholarly journals Genotype-Environment Interaction: Trade-Offs between the Agronomic Performance and Stability of Dual-Purpose Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Genotypes in Senegal

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malick Ndiaye ◽  
Myriam Adam ◽  
Komla Kyky Ganyo ◽  
Aliou Guissé ◽  
Ndiaga Cissé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sorghum Bicolor ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Agronomic Performance ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Biomass Yields ◽  
Sorghum Bicolor L

Introducing sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) genotypes into new environments is necessary for expanding the production of food and fuel, but these efforts are complicated by significant genotype × environment interactions that can reduce their effectiveness. This study set out to thoroughly analyze genotype × environment interactions and assess trade-offs between the agronomic performance and the stability of grain and biomass yields of ten contrasting genotypes under Sudano-Sahelian conditions. Experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. They were conducted from 2013 to 2016 in Bambey, Sinthiou Malem and Nioro du Rip in Senegal. The joint analysis of variance revealed a highly significant effect (p < 0.0001) of genotypes (G), environments (E) and G × E interaction. Most genotypes showed specific adaptations. The best grain yields were obtained by the Nieleni and Fadda hybrids, while the improved varieties IS15401 and SK5912 were best for biomass production. An Additive Main effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis showed that good grain yields were associated with environments having good soil fertility and good rainfall, while biomass yields were more influenced by the sowing date and rainfall. Similarly, we were able to confirm for our 10 sorghum genotypes that yield stability was generally associated with low performance, except for the Nieleni and Fadda hybrids, which performed well for grain and biomass production regardless of the environment. The Senegalese control genotype, 621B, showed particular susceptibility to growing conditions (soil), but remained very productive (more than 3 tons per hectare) under good agro-pedological conditions. These results lead us to recommend the Fadda and Nieleni hybrids for the entire study region, while 621B can also be recommended, but only for highly specific environments with good soils.

scholarly journals Changes in Vegetation Greenness in the Upper and Middle Reaches of the Yellow River Basin over 2000–2015

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Lin Sun ◽  
Yi Luo
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Yellow River ◽  
The Yellow River ◽  
Fluctuation Analysis ◽  
Vegetation Development ◽  
Vegetation Dynamic ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Land Use Types

The Grain to Green Project (GTGP), a large ecological restoration project aiming to control soil erosion and improve the ecological environment, has been implemented since 1999 and has led to great land use changes with decreased farmland and increased forest and grass, and significant vegetation variations. Understanding vegetation variations for different land use types is important for accessing the present vegetation development and providing scientific guidance for future ecological restoration design and regional sustainable development. With two land use maps and MODIS LAI data, trend analysis, fluctuation analysis, and R/S methods were applied to analyze the vegetation dynamic changes and sustainability for converted land use types from cropland and unconverted types over 2000–2015 in the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River. The results obtained were as follows: (1) Vegetation greening was remarkable in the entire study region (0.036 yr−1). The increasing rate was higher in wetter conditions with AI < 3 (0.036–0.053 yr−1) than arid regions with AI > 3 (0.012–0.024 yr−1). (2) Vegetation improved faster for converted forestland, shrubland, and grassland than unconverted types under similar drying conditions. Converted shrubland and grassland had a larger relative change than converted forestland. (3) Converted land use types generally exhibited stronger fluctuation than unconverted types with small differences among types. (4) Vegetation exhibited a sustainable increasing trend in the future, which accounted for more than 73.1% of the region, mainly distributed in the middle reach of the Yellow River. Vegetation restoration exerted important influences on vegetation greening and the effect was stronger for converted types than unconverted types.

Historical analysis of changes in land use and carbon stock of vegetation in south and southeast Asia

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth P. Flint ◽  
John F. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Carbon Content ◽  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Standing Stock ◽  
Carbon Equivalent ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Ecological Zones

A time series (1880, 1920, 1950, 1980) of estimates of land use and carbon content of vegetation is presented for a contiguous area of 1.7 × 106 km2 in northern India, Bangladesh, and Burma. This was developed using sequential bookkeeping models, which systematically incorporate official agricultural and forest statistics with ecological, botanical, historical, geographical, and demographic data. For 149 administrative units, aggregated into 39 ecological zones, we estimated area and carbon content for each of the following land-use categories: net cultivated area, settled–built-up area, forest–woodland, interrupted woods, grass–shrub complexes, barren – sparsely vegetated areas, wetlands, and surface water. Dominant patterns of land-use change were deforestation, agricultural expansion, and wetland clearance, but significant regional and temporal disparities were observed. For the entire study region, the estimated standing stock of carbon in biomass declined by 2.62 Gt over the century. Release by periods was 911 Mt for 1880–1920, 750 Mt for 1920–1950, and 964 Mt for 1950–1980. Forest–woodland and interrupted woods vegetation released carbon equivalent to over 90% of the total release. Both conversion of forest to other vegetation types and reduction over time of biomass within vegetation types contributed significantly to decreases in total standing carbon stock during the period.

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