Land Use #5 Flashcards
Define
Urban Land
high density areas with lots of development & infrastructure
Ex. New York Dallas
Define
Rural Land
low population density (<1,000/mi2); areas outside of a central city
ex Mooresville AL
Define
Suburban Land
low density areas surrounding urban lands
Ex. Garland
Define
Urbanization
Removing of vegetation to convert natural landscape to city
Pros of Urbanization
- People live longer?
- Decrease in fertility rates
- Better access to medical care, education, & social services
- Recycling is economically feasible
- Conserve rural areas for wildlife
- MFR - require less energy per person
- Less driving
At least 3
Cons Urbanization
Huge eco footprints (easy access)
Lack of vegetation (increased erosion)
Water problems (floods)
Concentrated pollution & health issues
Excessive noise pollution
Affect local climates
CO2 emissions from cement production, machinery
Loss of carbon sequestration during deforestation
Landfills needed disposing trash from large populations
Urbanization prevents groundwater recharge, causing precipitation to runoff into local bodies of water
At least 3
Define
Urban Heat Islands
Structures, buildings, or roadways in urbanized areas absorb & re-emit heat from the sun more than natural vegetation or water
Causes can Low albedo & higher temperatures than surrounding areas
Define
Urban Runoff
Decreased infiltration in soil (due to impermeable surfaces)
Causes: Rain washes pollutants into storm drains and local surface water bodies
Urban Runoff
Urban Runoff Pollutants
-Salt (plant & insect death)
-Sediment (turbidity)
-Fertilizer (eutrophication)
-Pesticides (kill non target species)
-Oil & gasoline (suffocate fish/kill aquatic species)
Names all
Define
Saltwater Intrusion
Excessive groundwater withdrawal in coastal cities lowers the water table pressure, allowing saltwater to seep into groundwater
Can Cause: Freshwater contamination
Define
Urban Sprawl
Pop. movement out of dense, urban centers to less dense suburban areas surrounding the city
Ex. Moving to Forney from Dallas
Urban Sprawl
Urban Sprawl effects
- Loss of croplands, forests, rangelands, wetlands, etc.
- Increase in runoff, flooding, & pollution
- Increase in energy use, waste, and emissions
- Decline in urban businesses or profits
- Decline in central city employment
Define
Urban Blight
City property starts to deteriorate due to
Neglect (abandoned homes/buildings)
High crime (graffiti, vandalizing)
Low economic support
High poverty rates (evictions)
New better sections of town
Can Cause Additional weeds, homeless, wild animals & Loss of profit to city
Solutions
- Permeable Pavement Allows runoff water to get into Aquaifers
- ** Rain Garden** Urban gardens being bulit to reduce runoff & provide homes for some animals
- Public Transport Puts less cars on the road which leads to less harmful exccess & less roads which can be used to provide habitats
- Build up not Down More space for other stuff + green/ garden roofs