Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Urban sprawl is a phenomenon that has had a significant impact on the development of cities and regions worldwide. The legacy of sprawl is a complex and multifaceted issue that encompasses social, economic, and environmental aspects. This research project aims to explore the various dimensions of sprawl's legacy, focusing on its long-term effects on communities, infrastructure, and the natural environment. One key aspect of the legacy of sprawl is its impact on social dynamics within communities. Sprawl often leads to the fragmentation of neighborhoods and the isolation of residents, resulting in decreased social cohesion and a weakening of community bonds. This can have long-lasting effects on the well-being and quality of life of residents, as social connections and support networks play a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging and security. From an economic perspective, the legacy of sprawl can be seen in the long-term costs associated with maintaining and servicing sprawling developments. The inefficient use of land and resources in sprawling communities can lead to higher infrastructure and service delivery costs, placing a strain on local governments and taxpayers. Additionally, the reliance on automobile transportation in sprawling areas can result in increased spending on road maintenance and traffic management, further exacerbating the financial burden on communities. Environmental degradation is another significant aspect of the legacy of sprawl. The expansion of low-density development into previously undeveloped areas can lead to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and increased pollution. The loss of green spaces and agricultural land to urban sprawl not only diminishes the aesthetic value of landscapes but also has tangible environmental consequences, such as reduced air and water quality, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters. In conclusion, the legacy of sprawl is a complex and enduring issue that has far-reaching implications for communities, economies, and ecosystems. By examining the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sprawl's legacy, this research project seeks to shed light on the challenges and opportunities associated with addressing and mitigating the impacts of sprawl. Understanding the legacy of sprawl is essential for policymakers, planners, and stakeholders to make informed decisions and develop sustainable solutions for creating more resilient and livable cities and regions in the future.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

Biological diversity (or biodiversity, for short) is the variety of life on Earth and the interactions, cycles, and processes of nature that link it all together. In its broadest definition, biodiversity includes individual species, the genetic diversity within species, the natural communities in which these species interact, and the ecosystems and landscapes in which species evolve and coexist (Noss and Cooperrider 1994). Although conservation efforts to protect biodiversity tend to focus on unique plants or rare animals, biodiversity actually encompasses all nature, including both common and rare components and even more obscure organisms such as fungi and microbes.

Ecologists now recognize that natural events such as fires, floods, and hurricanes are fundamental to ecosystem integrity. These processes can be predictable disruptive events, such as annual flooding and fires that cycle through a forest with relative frequency, or unpredictable and infrequent largescale disturbances, such as earthquakes and volcano eruptions. All are critical to the maintenance of ecosystems and the species these systems support. Sprawling development interferes with these natural disturbance regimes by suppressing or altering them. In addition, sprawl fosters other novel anthropogenic disturbances, such as clearing for home construction, trampling of soil and vegetation, dumping, or vandalism, which…

Pollination, broadly defined, is the transfer of pollen within and between compatible flowers. Pollen carries the male nuclei, so pollination is a key step for sexual reproduction by seed plants, the group that dominates Earth’s terrestrial flora. Primary agents of pollination include wind, some birds and bats, and insects, especially bees, but also some kinds of beetles, flies, wasps, moths, and butterflies. Too little is known to generalize about links among sprawl, pollination, and seed set overall, but urban and suburban sprawl does alter ecological features important to pollinators, such as plant community composition and reproductive opportunities.