Grantee Research Project Results
The Return of the Forest: Urbanization and Reforestation in the Northeastern United States
EPA Grant Number: U915420Title: The Return of the Forest: Urbanization and Reforestation in the Northeastern United States
Investigators: Stroud, Ellen
Institution: Columbia University in the City of New York
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 8, 1998 through August 1, 2001
Project Amount: $83,291
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1998) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Fellowship - Environmental , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Academic Fellowships
Objective:
The objective of this research project is to investigate the relationship between the regrowth of forests in the northeastern United States during this century and the concurrent growth of northeastern cities.
Approach:
In my analysis of the processes of reforestation in the northeastern United States, I focus on the interaction between the city and its hinterlands, arguing that it is no coincidence that the most heavily urbanized part of the country has experienced the most dramatic return of woodlands. My hypothesis is that the desires and physical needs of city people encouraged and required the return of the forest. I am tracing the history of five types of northeastern forests—watershed forests, "wild" forests, farm woodlots, industrial forests, and forested suburbs. These five forest types are found throughout the northeastern United States, although their significance varies by time and place. My inquiry focuses on municipal watersheds in Pennsylvania, "wilderness" in New Hampshire's White Mountains, farm woodlots in Vermont and New Hampshire, industrial forests in Maine, and forested suburbs outside of Boston. This case study approach allows a close analysis of the complexity and nuance of landscape change.
Supplemental Keywords:
fellowship, watersheds, development, urban planning, public policy, conservation, social sciences, history, Atlantic Coast, Maine, ME, New Hampshire, NH, Vermont, VT, Massachusetts, MA, Pennsylvania, PA, reforestation, northeastern United States., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecology, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, exploratory research environmental biology, Chemical Mixtures - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Restoration, State, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Forestry, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Mid-Atlantic, Ecology and Ecosystems, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Urban and Regional Planning, Ecological Indicators, New Hampshire (NH), reforestation, Vermont (VT), Pennsylvania, urbanization and reforestation, Massachusetts (MA), White Mountains (New Hampshire), Philadelphia, forests, forested farms, wild forests, watershed forests, woodlands, industrial forest, Maine (ME), BostonProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.