Section 2 - Inventory And Analysis (1) Flashcards
How are Quantitative analyses used to evaluate the interactions of natural and cultural features, characteristics, and systems and legal and regulatory requirements
Quantitative Analysis provides information that is used to meet the requirements of various legal and regulatory systems. Data from a resource that is widely acknowledged as a source of accurate data (U.S. Census Bureau, Environmental Protection Agency, regional council of government leads credibility to a document. Using quantitative data is especially valuable when the natural resources are involved as it provides precise information on the land qualities in numerical form. Quantitative data can be used for identifying avoidance and minimization opportunities and for preparing permit applications. It can be used to rate land in terms of land qualities which have a positive or negative effect on various natural resources and in terms of recreation, conservation, or economic development.
Identify and briefly explain research methods used to gather data for analysis and interpretation.
Methods of research can be broadly divided into qualitative and quantitative. The basic difference is that quantitative research reports findings in numbers, while qualitative research reports them as words or narrative. The main quantitative research technique is the survey, with all its variants.
Qualitative research is a broad category that includes historical research, interviewing and focus groups, singly or in combination, depending on the needs of a particular study.
Quantitative research describes quantity and tests relationships between variables at much greater precision than do most qualitative research and provides information about characteristics of the population. For example, quantitative assessment of vegetation change is often conducted using digital analysis of aerial or vertical photography time-series.
The whole earth’s surface can be described by a series of interconnected ecosystems. Identify these various ecosystems.
An ecosystem is a geographical area of a variable size where plants, animals, the landscape and the climate interact together. A small bog, a single sand dune, or a tiny patch of forest is an ecosystem. The six ecosystems on which life on Earth most heavily depends include:
Agroecosystems - Farms/Ranches that grow food and produce livestock
Forest Ecosystems - the woodlands
Freshwater Ecosystems - the lakes, streams, and rivers.
Grassland Ecosystems - meadows, prairies, pampas, savannas, and steppes
Coastal Ecosystems - the beaches, the marine waters, the reefs, the atolls that line coasts in tropical waters and buffer coastlines
Urban Ecosystems - concentration of economic and educational opportunities where nearly half the world’s populations live.
EPA protects ecosystems through regulations and voluntary programs that reduce pollution.
Identify the landscape components of an agricultural and rural landscape analysis
Components Include:
- Circulation network ranges in scale from livestock tracks and footpaths to roads, major highways, railways, streams, rivers, canals, and even airstrips
- Boundary demarcations may be fences, walls, planted tree lines, hedgerows, drainage ditches, or even natural features such as the use of a river or hill. Vegetation related to land use includes functional and ornamental trees, shrubs, crops in fields, tree lines, along walls and roads, orchards, groves, woodlots, pastures, gardens, allees, shelterbelts, and grasslands
- Buildings, structures, and other objects identified and recorded according to function, materials and construction techniques.
- -Clusters are the groupings of elements within a discrete landscape setting, such as a farmstead, ranch or hamlet.
- Archaeological sites include road traces, reforested fields, and ruins of prehistoric or historic activities or occupation.
- Small scale elements include foot bridges, road markers, gravestones, isolated vegetation, fence posts, curbstones, trail ruts, culverts, foundations, and minor ruins.
Explain the use of photogammetry and remote sensing techniques as an information gathering tool.
Photogammetry is a remote sensing technology in which geometric properties about objects are determined from photographic images. Forms of technology now used in remote sensing include infrared photography, thermal imagery, radar scanning, and satellites. Aerial photographs and satellite images are often used as data sources, along with modern techniques such as laser altimetry by land and urban planners. The main purpose of using remote sensing is to acquire information of phenomena for monitoring, assessment, management and/or planning. Remote sensing has wide applications in various areas such as mapping, water, hydrology, groundwater, coastal zone, marine, ice/snow, land use/cover, ecology/environmental studies, urbanization, hazardous waste, soil/geology, site suitability, and vegetation.
Identify various methods used to obtain information about community needs and cultural influences and values.
To ascertain the needs, problems and possibilities of the community and determine what priorities the community attaches to them, legislators, policy makers, and leaders of the public and private agencies and organizations use self-reported need assessments such as citizen committees, public hearings, forms, public records, focus groups, surveys, etc. to gauge public opinion, sort out special interest groups, and organize effective citizen action groups in community design programs. In addition, the Internet and computers allow for on-line exchanges and interactive voting processes, exercises, and tutorials without requiring face-to-face interactions. Geographic information systems (GIS) and other computer-based tools such as visual simulations show before and after representations to educate the public.
How are qualitative analyses used to evaluate the relationship between the natural and cultural features, characteristics, and systems and legal and regulatory requirements?
Qualitative data such as interviews, document studies, participant observation and focus groups help researchers to understand and explain people and the social and cultural contexts within which they live (quality of life, recreational experience). These key people include households, businesses, developers, and local governments. Information frequently gathered includes population and economic growth, desirability of certain locations, the cost and availability of developable land, physical and regulatory constraints, transportation, and the costs of sewer and water services. This information (whether verbal or written) is used for planning, where, when, and what type of development that takes place and identifies external factors that must be addressed such as legal and regulatory factors that influence this relationship.
What is hazard mitigation?
Hazard mitigation is a program of actions designed to protect people and structures and to minimize the costs of disaster response and recovery. Examples of hazardous mitigation include removing houses from flood prone areas or enlarging culverts in flood prone area to prevent flooding. The Federal and State Governments have mandated that all local jurisdictions have a Hazard Mitigation Plan. Hazards that affect the region are often identified based on historical records and other data sources. Being able to compare the location of an area of proposed development to the degree of a hazard present enables the planner to estimate the risk. This can be used to define land use and capability and identify appropriate mitigation measures.
An understanding of the natural site conditions serves as the basis for the planning process. Identify typical natural site conditions that influence design.
That natural factors that affect construction and influence the development of the landscape include:
- Soil conditions (e.g. fertility levels) soils are grouped into three categories: sand, silt, and clay (a good mixture of all with organic matter is loam)
- Terrain characteristics (e.g. upland versus lowland topography, rock outcroppings, hills, slope)
- Hydrology features (e.g. ponds, brooks, surface water accessibility and the spatial variability in soil moisture conditions)
- Landuse/landcover types
- Mineral Resources
- Microclimates (smaller areas in a landscape that have a difference in temperature, humidity, wind exposure, or sun exposure.)
Identify the landscape processes components of an agricultural and rural landscape analysis
Components of agricultural and rural landscape analysis include:
- Land use and activities include the major human forces and processes that shape and organize rural landscapes such as farming, mining, ranching, commerce, or industry.
- Patterns of spatial organization are the large-scale relationships among major landscape features, predominant landforms and natural features reflected in road systems, field patterns, distance between farmsteads, proximity to water sources and orientation of structure to the sun and wind.
- Responses to the natural environment include major natural features in a region such as prairies, rivers, lakes, forests, and grasslands influence the location and organization of rural landscape features.
- Cultural traditions include land use practices, buildings and structures, ethnic or religious institutions, use of plants, patterns of land division, construction methods and craftsmanship.
Identify various sources available for land information.
Land information sources available include:
- Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which identifies various floodplains.
- The U.S. Geological Survey provides satellite images and aerial photographs and NASA also provides coverage maps.
- Property boundary basemaps and ownership records are maintained at the county level, usually by the recorder’s, assessor’s, or land surveyor’s office.
- Deeds are proof of property ownership and include the owener’s name and place of residence, date of the property transfer, and the legal description of the property at the time of transfer. There are two indices: grantors (sellers) and grantees (buyers).
Explain the relationship of program elements in a landscape design.
The potential of the site for development influences the ultimate program element recommendations that satisfy both goals/objectives and client values. Based on an analysis of the requirements, priorities, and user needs, the program developed is a comprehensive list and map of the physical things and human or ecological activities that are to be accommodated in a design. It involves the treatment of a site as art, the balance of hard and soft surfaces in outdoor and indoor spaces, the selection of construction and plant materials, infrastructure such as irrigation, roadways, drainage systems, and parks, to prominent cultural monuments and gardens for public and private housing units, and the preparation of detailed construction plans and documents. These program elements are identified via samples, photos, diagrams, and text.
The detailed site analysis focuses on site characteristics that help define the final design. Identify components of site analysis.
The components of site analysis documents that should include the following:
- Existing vegetation - native vegetation, existing ornamental plantings, mature trees, and unique vegetation.
- Natural features - Existing soil, rock and water
- Soils - soil type as it relates to drainage, erosion control, slope stability, irrigation design and plant selection.
- Topography - steep slopes, abrupt grade changes
- Structure - Storage space, play equipment, patios, fences, walls
- Views - Good as well as objectionable
- Light Characteristics - Full sun, half-day full sun, indirect light, broken shade, full shade or any light level in between.
- Drainage - Runoff patterns, ponding
- Noise Levels
- Vehicular and pedestrian circulation
- Security Requirements
- Fountains, waterfalls, pools or ponds
- Extensional landscape - things that are not on a property but affect property
- Utility Placement
- Easements/setback lines
- Maintenance - low, medium or high maintenance
- Primary architectural features of the house
To reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from hazardous conditions, what are some of the hazard design considerations the landscape architect should consider?
Design considerations include:
- Fire/Wildlife - Proper species selection and planning placement will help reduce fuel loads near structures. Creating defensible spaces/buffer zones are manageable areas, generally 30 to 100 feet and cleared of combustible materials.
- Flood - Examples of erosion control techniques to reduce run-off include proper bank stabilization with sloping or grading techniques, planting vegetation on slopes, terracing hillsides, or installation riprap boulders or geotextile fabric.
- Landslides or debris flow - Debris-flow measures may include stabilization, energy dissipation, and flow control measures. Various types of vegetation increase soil stability through root length and strength and by absorbing precipitation.
- Tornadoes/Severe wind - Loose items like yard and patio furniture should be secured. Tree pruning near power lines should be avoided.
- Snowstorm area - Using snow fences or “living snow fences” (rows of trees or other vegetation) can limit snow blowing and drifting of snow over critical structure.
The environmental setting greatly influences design, planning and management decisions. Explain.
When man studies the landscape for the best location for an agricultural field or primitive hut, he based his decision upon information gathered through observation and through the experience gained from previous successes or failures. We continue today to face the challenge of siting our uses of land in the most beneficial manner which does not destroy the balance of natural resources or conflict with existing land uses. Surface water in the form of rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, bays, sounds, and wetlands require runoff management. In addition, natural vegetation and topography of the land are changed by development as the contours are smoothed and the landscape is covered with hardened surfaces. The individual effect may seem minor, but their combined influence can be significant on design, planning and management decisions.
