Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
points for planners and policymakers interested in increasing the function-
ality of their urban regions for animals that must walk or crawl across roads
and between aquatic and terrestrial domains. Regional planning by a con-
federation, coalition, or agency that results in a binding, spatially explicit
master plan (often called a “comprehensive plan”) is needed to articulate
the long-term vision and desired future conditions of an urban area. For
the betterment of wildlife and people, this plan begins with mapping exist-
ing jewels in the network and then devising protection, restoration, or con-
nection plans for each with an eye toward dei ning a fully interconnected
network.
Reserves, parks, municipal watersheds, small urban farms, lakes, rivers,
and wetlands constitute the backbone of the network. In these, native plants
either occur or can be easily restored. Including a large central park or an
impressive park on the edge of the city that protects cultural and natural his-
tory can enhance the economic value of the collection. Once the backbone is
revealed, connections that allow walkers and wildlife to move between the
emeralds are developed. These might include buf ers along waterways, vege-
tated corridors, golf courses, or a series of small parks strung together by
a trail that navigates an abandoned transportation route. Popular “rails-to-
trails” programs in the United States, Europe, and Australia provide the lat-
ter sort of connection. Where existing roadways block people and wildlife
from moving between emeralds, underpasses or overpasses, such as those de-
scribed above, need to be devised. Restoration of water quality and riparian
vegetation along prominent rivers that connect emeralds increases their at-
traction to tourists and recreationists, which benei ts local economies. Pre-
serving l oodplains and restoring the usual network of small wetlands that
occur in them can enhance the importance of the emerald network to aquatic
life. With a natural emerald network mapped out, places to encourage and
limit growth are then important to identify.
