Protecting Natural Areas During Development: Four Spatial Considerations to Maximize their Benefits

Designers, builders, and managers of sustainable urban areas must consider location and proximity of conserved land, built infrastructure, and designed urban ecosystems such as stormwater ponds and ornamental gardens. This publication introduces four key spatial considerations and discusses their implications for conservation of native plants and animals and the biodiversity and ecological benefits provided by urban landscapes. Planners, builders, and managers must recognize and conserve spatial differences in habitat types and understand how the size, shape, and location of conserved lands and urban ecosystems affect plant and animal welfare and movement. The publication  lists multiple free tools for visualizing and measuring spatial aspects and stresses that conserved areas and designed ecosystems must be properly managed to reap benefits from good spatial planning. People can use the information to improve the design, construction and management of sustainable urban areas.

Basil V. Iannone III, assistant professor and state Extension specialist, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences; Tina McIntyre, UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly^TM Landscaping agent, UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County; Alexander J. Reisinger, assistant professor and state Extension specialist, Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences; Eban Z. Bean, assistant professor and state Extension specialist, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Abbey Tyrna, water resources agent, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County; Brooke L. Moffis, Ph.D. student, School of Natural Resources and Environment, and residential horticulture agent, UF/IFAS Extension Lake County; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.