Grantee Research Project Results
2003 Progress Report: Economics of Conserving Ecosystem Integrity with Residential Development around Vernal Pools
EPA Grant Number: R829384Title: Economics of Conserving Ecosystem Integrity with Residential Development around Vernal Pools
Investigators: Swallow, Stephen K. , Paton, Peter
Institution: University of Rhode Island
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2005 (Extended to August 31, 2006)
Project Period Covered by this Report: January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2004
Project Amount: $200,017
RFA: Decision-Making and Valuation for Environmental Policy (2001) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Environmental Justice
Objective:
The purpose of this research project is to develop a framework for identifying and understanding the economic and ecological factors that influence society’s ability to maintain well-functioning ecosystems in the face of sprawl or urban development. Particular emphasis is given to modeling the effects of residential development on amphibian metapopulations dependent upon vernal pools and upland habitats connecting these pools. The objectives of this research project are to: (1) assess the baseline value of foregone opportunities for development and amphibian metapopulations that can be anticipated after rural residential development expands under current regulations; (2) evaluate the economic and ecological factors affecting the cost of maintaining metapopulations for an assemblage of amphibians, as represented by vernal pool ecosystems in southern New England; and (3) examine the economic and ecological implications of alternative regulatory or development incentive mechanisms that influence the probability of land development within or around vernal pool based ecosystems.
Progress Summary:
Research during this period focused on two major areas. First, investigators continued to develop a geographic information system database that included land use and land cover variables and land value data. The database concerns the Wood-Pawcatuck River Watershed and vernal pools (seasonally flooded wetlands) in southwestern Rhode Island. Data also included egg-mass counts at vernal pools, with respect to the wood frog and the spotted salamander. A statistical model to predict egg mass counts to wetland and land use variables was developed and used to forecast egg mass values at all ponds in the watershed (more than 1,200 vernal pools). These estimated egg mass counts were then used to develop an index of the quality or importance of land in and around vernal pools to the survival of amphibian populations under current conditions. Investigators used a spatial-averaging method to assign index values to land within a one or two-hectare grid across the watershed.
Economic data on land values were obtained from most towns in the watershed. Efforts will continue, however, in additional towns early in the next year. Investigators are beginning with tax-assessor estimates of the tax value of land, particularly undeveloped land. In some towns, land values are not available at the parcel level, and can only be assigned to a postal address (street number address). Therefore, land values will be estimated across the watershed through a spatial averaging process using postal addresses as the record for land value.
Second, research proceeded on developing a theoretical model both for analytical and simulation-based evaluation of residential development in relation to amphibian metapopulations. The spatially explicit metapopulation model of Hanski and colleagues will likely form the basis of evaluations focused on the presence or absence of amphibian species in specific vernal pools.
A third area of activity included additional literature review, particularly on mechanisms to identify land for conservation in relation to a budget or minimizing the cost of achieving an ecological quality goal. This literature will support future simulation analyses that aid decisionmakers in establishing land conservation priorities (selecting land parcels) while staying within a budget and providing the best possible ecological quality within the budget (and land conserved). Modeling of this type, however, did not commence during this reporting period.
Future Activities:
We will substantially refine an analytical model relating residential development and amphibian metapopulation dynamics, based on the land development attributes previously identified. Completion of the land value database will occur in 2004. Based upon the analytical model, a computer simulation will be developed to perform more detailed sensitivity analysis of model parameters. In addition, further monitoring of the relevant literature and analysis of our empirical vernal pool data will continue. Results from these efforts will assist in the parameterization of our simulation model.
Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 26 publications | 11 publications in selected types | All 7 journal articles |
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Egan RS, Paton PWC. Within-pond parameters affecting oviposition by wood frogs and spotted salamanders. Wetlands 2004;24(1):1-13. |
R829384 (2002) R829384 (2003) R829384 (2004) R829384 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
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Paton PWC, Egan RS, Osenkowski JE, Raithel CJ, Brooks RT. Rana sylvatica (wood frog) breeding behavior during drought. Herpetological Review 2003;34(3):236-237. |
R829384 (2003) R829384 (2004) R829384 (Final) |
not available |
Supplemental Keywords:
indicators, ecosystem indicators, landscape indicators, amphibian, frogs, salamanders, anthropogenic stresses, sustainable development, Northeast, policy analysis, community based, decisionmaking, public policy, wetland regulation, conservation biology, conservation reserve network, cost-effective ecosystem protection, economic, social, and behavioral science research program, ecosystem protection/environmental exposure and risk, ecology and ecosystems, economics and decisionmaking, ecosystem protection, ecosystem/assessment/indicators, social science, conserving ecosystem integrity, cost effectiveness, ecological exposure, ecosystem integrity, ecosystem integrity and residential development, environmental policy, environmental values, residential development, vernal pool ecosystems, vernal pools,, RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Economic, Social, & Behavioral Science Research Program, Economics & Decision Making, Ecosystem Protection, Economics, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, decision-making, Social Science, Ecology and Ecosystems, conservation biology, community-based, wetland regulation, cost effectiveness, ecological exposure, environmental values, residential development, ecosystem integrity and residential development, vernal pools, public policy, cost-effective ecosysem protection, vernal pool ecosystems, conserving ecosystem integrity, environmental policy, ecosystem integrity, decision makingProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe 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.