The Impact of Past and Future Urban Expansion on Soil Resources in Central Arkansas, 1994–2030. (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lavy, Brendan L.; Julian, Jason P.; Jawarneh, Rana N.
• Is Part Of: Papers in applied geography. Volume 2:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 25
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: agricultural productivity -- available water storage -- soil organic carbon -- soil resources -- urbanization; Applied human geography -- Periodicals; Geography -- Periodicals; 910
• DOI: 10.1080/23754931.2015.1106972
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2375-4931

Abstract

Abstract : As cities expand, activities associated with urban growth disturb and seal soil resources. Urban processes compact, move, deposit, and contaminate soils, affecting local soil ecosystems and environmental quality at increasing scales. This article offers a spatially explicit account of the impact of urban expansion on soil resources in central Arkansas from 1994 to 2030 and proposes a conceptual framework that situates the impacts of urbanization on soil resources at multiple scales. We analyzed three soil characteristics (available water storage, agricultural productivity, and soil organic carbon) in the context of urban growth patterns over a 10, 000 km 2 study area centered on the capital of Little Rock. From 1994 to 2011, urbanization occurred near primary transportation networks and existing urban centers. From 2011 to 2030, urban growth will likely expand along the transportation corridors into the Ouachita Mountains and Arkansas Valley. By 2030, we estimate that urbanization will affect 10 percent of the region's soil resources with varying impacts on soil quality and quantity. Our results provide place-specific knowledge of soil disturbance, which is useful for creating policies and initiatives to mitigate degradation of soil resources with increasing urbanization.