Progress 09/01/03 to 08/31/06
Outputs
A) Developed an analytical tool for analyzing the consequences of individual decisions associated with land-use change by identifying their potential impacts to various stakeholders. B) Developed a land conversion matrix outlining the potential costs and benefits of land conversion activities to the environment, the economy and the society. C) Estimated the total Alabama farmlands converted to urban uses and analyzed the trend in the last ten years. D) Examined the impacts of farmland conversion and compared them with the existing perceptions regarding the consequences of farmland conversion. E) Examined the cost and benefits of converting agricultural land to other land-use options. F) Used a case study approach to determine how county land-use affects county finances. G) Determined the contribution of separate categories of land uses to county finances and how conversion of agricultural land fiscally impacts the counties. H) Examined the factors determining land
conversion across cities and townships in Madison County.
Impacts
The results of the study presents a concrete model which can be directly beneficial to policy makers in evaluating land-use policies, as well as in formulating strategies regarding land-use. Projections on urban land-use based on the US Census' population projections predicts that by 2030, an additional 106,777 acres of agricultural land in Alabama will be converted to urban use.
Publications
- Mojica, M., and Bukenya, J.O. 2006. Causes and Trends of Land Conversion: A Study of Urbanization in North Alabama. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics. Pp. 406, vol 38 no.2 (August).
|
Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
1. Examined the potential neighborhood social conflicts between farmers and non-farm residents by: Developing and administering a multi-county survey questionnaire to a random sample of 400 farmers in counties where sprawl has been identified to be a problem. The questionnaire collected information on issues encountered by farmers, which can serve as proxies for neighborhood social conflicts, and the census block group of each respondent (the response rate was 38%). Analyzing 2000 Census data and data from the multi-county survey. Two different measure of social conflicts have been analyzed: 1) whether or not the survey respondent had encountered any neighborhood social conflict (based on responses to questions asking respondents whether they have encountered complaints from non-farm residents about nuisances that come with living in an agricultural area or had encountered any problem resulting from urban growth); and 2) the number of such conflicts encountered. 2.
Examined the causes, trends, and impacts of land conversion in north Alabama by: Summarizing regional, state, and local land use trends. The total farmlands converted to urban uses and the trend in the last ten years was documented. Developing a tool for identifying the determinants and impacts of past and proposed land conversion; and analyzing the consequences of individual decisions associated with land use change. The tool is represented by a land conversion matrix outlining the potential costs and benefits of land conversion activities to the environment, the economy and the society. Applying the tool using data drawn from selected counties in northern Alabama. Examined the impacts of farmland conversion and compared them with the existing perceptions regarding the consequences of farmland conversion.
Impacts
The research has benefited county land planning commissions by developing a land conversion model for identifying the stakeholders associated with a given land conversion proposal. This is crucial for community decision-makers to understand the interests that motivate the different players in a land conversion process and to assess whom a land conversion would ultimately benefit.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Objective 1: a) reviewed the literature relating to the project; b) designed and developed a survey questionnaire to collect information for addressing the issues raised in the objective; c) pre-tested the survey questionnaire; made revisions based on the pre-test assessment and mailed it out; and d) conducted a follow-up to ensure a reasonable response rate. Objectives 2& 3: a)the LandSat Images for counties in northern Alabama for the (1977, 1980, 1984, 1992, 1997 and 2000) periods have been pre-processed for atmospheric correction and rectified to UTM projection; b) several ancillary GIS data have been obtained: digital elevation data (30 meter), USDA-NRCS Soil data, 1942 Aerial photograph for Madison County, 1999-2000 Aerial photographs for Madison, Limestone, Jackson and Morgan Counties; and Census data for 1990-2000; c) a multilevel, hierarchical land-use classification based on the Anderson levels I and II have been performed from the pre-processed imageries
for the identified periods; d) and extensive field survey has been performed using GPS. Both supervised, maximum likelihood, and unsupervised, ISODATA, classification methodologies have been utilized in a multi-step approach in the classification process. Objective 4: Due to differences in data reporting periods by different source agencies, it is difficult to extract data for certain specific time periods. In the event that data for certain periods is unavailable, we have tried to match it with data for the closest period possible. Overall, we have compiled the required demographic and socioeconomic data from the various state and federal agencies.
Impacts
Land-use conflicts, especially the conversion of farmland to urban sprawl, have been identified to be the greatest threat to the long-term viability of the agricultural sector. Perhaps the greatest challenge to urban planners and municipal decision makers is to resist pressure for the conversion of viable agricultural land into lots to meet the ongoing demand for residential, commercial, industrial and other land uses.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
|