Title:
The Impact of Urbanization on Biodiversity in the Asheville-Brevard Combined Statistical Area
The Impact of Urbanization on Biodiversity in the Asheville-Brevard Combined Statistical Area
Author(s)
Huffman, Leigh
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Abstract
Humans are part of an exclusive grouping of animals known as ecosystem engineers because they change and create livable environments to suit their needs. In addition to building shelters and cultivating the land, humans have created expansive groupings of buildings in pursuit of greater economic and civic activities. We call these groupings cities. In terms of absolute size, the combined land mass of cities covers a relatively small portion of the Earth; however, urban environments have far reaching effects on habitats around the globe.This study attempts to answer the following question: Based on land use projections, where will urbanization have the greatest impact on biodiversity in the Asheville-Brevard Combined Statistical Area? It is hypothesized that urbanization will have the greatest impact on biodiversity in locations closer to the protected areas of the region (i.e., Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Nantahala National Forest, Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest, Bracken Preserve) since these areas will have higher biodiversity due to their adjacency to more complete habitats.
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Date Issued
2019-05
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Text
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Masters Project
Applied Research Paper
Applied Research Paper