Our studio
section will be working as a collective team for the purposes of gathering and
analyzing data about the watershed. Each
member of the team will assume specific responsibilities in preparation for a
final report to the class on Friday, April 23rd. You will be graded on that day with regard to
presentation of this information in its final form. This grade constitutes 30% of your grade for
the GIS component of this course and you will be evaluated with regard to the
thoroughness of your analysis, your use of graphics and maps for communication,
and the extent to which you satisfactorily answer the questions for your topic
as outlined below.
Modeling:
As we initiate this analysis, each student will read John Lyle’s article
on the utility of semi-formal modeling, to gain familiarity with the concepts
of modeling in planning and design. This
paper will be the topic of in-class discussion on Monday, April 5th
and should be a good foundation for conducting your landscape analyses.
Expected Products: It is expected that
analysis for each topic will be presented in as graphic a form as possible.
Maps are critical for showing distributions within the watershed and are
essential for making future landscape planning decisions. Maps prepared using geographic
information systems are expected wherever possible. Diagrams are critical for illustrating
processes and landscape change. Diagrams
are expected wherever possible. Where
appropriate, analysis should be quantified, to provide a better understanding
of issues. Supporting text should also
be provided, but kept to a minimum, as graphics should convey most of the
ideas. Your diagrams and maps will be
integrated into your final poster product for this class. As such, they are expected to be professional
quality. Graphics adapted from books,
articles, web pages, etc., are expected to be credited to their source, and
re-drawn or reproduced in some fashion which assures graphic consistency. The use of photographs to supplement your
analysis is strongly encouraged. All
work will be prepared in or scanned into computer for use in PowerPoint
presentation. Each category below will
have 5-10 minutes to present on April 26th.
What are
the physical processes that have shaped the landform of the watershed? How has human activity in the watershed
altered these processes over time? (Diagrams)
Are
there special resources within the watershed that are dependent on geomorphic
processes? Are these resources adversely affected by human activity? (Diagrams and Maps)
How do
slopes vary throu
What are
the soil characteristics throu
What
daily temperatures are characteristic of the watershed? How do they vary throughout the year? (Charts/Graphs) Do they vary throughout the watershed? (Maps)
What are the annual precipitation levels expected in the
watershed? How is precipitation
distributed throughout the year? (Charts/Graphs) Do levels vary throughout the watershed? (Maps)
What are
the prevailing wind/weather patterns throu
How does
solar access vary throu
Are there
any topoclimatic variations throughout the watershed
(including heat islands)? (Diagrams and Maps)
Are there
any air quality issues associated with the surface and sub-surface water within
the watershed? What are the sources of
these issues? What are the impacts to
human activity? (Diagrams and/or Charts/Graphs)
How does
the hydrologic cycle function within the watershed? Has past human activity altered this cycle in
significant ways? (Diagrams)
What are
the major stream/drainage systems in the watershed (including sub-watersheds)? Have these systems been altered by human
activity (Dams, channelization, etc.)? (Maps and
Diagrams)
Are there
groundwater resources (aquifers) that are (or may be) used to support human
activity? Is salt-water intrusion a problem? (Maps and/or Diagrams)
Are
there any major aquifer recharge areas within the watershed? (Maps) How has human activity impacted aquifer
recharge capabilities (impervious surface, wetland loss, etc.)
(Diagrams)
Are there
any water quality issues associated with the surface and sub-surface water
within the watershed? What are the
sources of these issues? What are the
impacts to human activity? (Diagrams and/or Charts/Graphs)
Historically,
what were the major plant communities found in the
watershed? (Maps) What are the
characteristics that influenced their distribution (climate, elevation, slope
aspect, water availability, landscape disturbance, etc.)? (Diagrams)
What has
been the impact of human activity on the native plant communities in the
watershed? Are any plant species or
communities threatened or endangered? What human activities threaten these
species? (Maps and Diagrams)
Are there
remnant patches of indigenous vegetation?
Are these connected or isolated?
(Maps)
Are any
human-introduced species invading the watershed in a significant manner? (Maps
and Diagrams)
Historically,
what was the major wildlife found in the watershed? How has human activity impacted the presence
of these species? Has human activity altered the ecosystem balance of animal
species? (Maps and/or Diagrams)
Are any
animal species threatened or endangered within the watershed? What are the habitat needs of these species?
(Maps and Diagrams)
What
existing patches of habitat exist within the watershed for key species
(undeveloped, roadless areas, etc)? Do existing corridors network any of these
patches? (Maps)
_______________
Are
there areas susceptible to landslide hazards? (Maps)
Are
there areas susceptible to seismic activity (faults, etc.)? (Maps)
Are there areas susceptible to
flooding? Have flooding processes been
altered by human activity? (Maps and Diagrams)
How have
fire processes historically influenced the landscape? How has human activity altered these processes
in the landscape? (Diagrams)
What areas
of the landscape are historically prone to fire processes? (Maps)
Are there
any EPA Superfund Sites located in the watershed? (Maps)
_______________
What cultures
have inhabited the watershed up until present day? Where did they settle? How did they sustain
themselves and how did they use the land? (Maps/Illustrations/Diagrams and Charts/Timelines)
What events/activities are worthy of
remembrance? (Illustration and Maps)
Are there
any sites/areas within the watershed that have been identified as historic or
sacred from a cultural perspective? Are
there important sites that have been ignored? (Maps)
Are there
any historic communities or districts in the watershed? Where are these located? What are their characteristics and/or uses? (Maps and Illustrations)
_______________
What are
the demographic characteristics of today’s watershed residents (population,
age, ethnicity, income, etc.)? How do these compare to County or State
demographics? How have these
demographics changed over the past 10 years? (Tables/Graphs)
Are there
distinct differences in demographic characteristics between communities within
the watershed? (Maps)
Where are
areas of residential land use located in the watershed? How do they vary in terms of density and form
(including street layout)? Are there distinct time periods of development of
neighborhoods which can be identified (maps
and illustrations)
What
types of commercial and/or office land uses are found in the watershed? Where are these located (Maps/Images)
Are there
any Edge Cities in the watershed? (Maps)
How do the commercial and office
areas vary in terms of physical characteristics (urban form, impervious
surface, building size, street layout, etc)? (Maps, Sections, Diagrams and Illustrations)
How are commercial and office uses
distributed in relationship to various demographic characteristics? (Maps)
What
types of Industrial land uses are found in the watershed? Where are these located (Maps/Images)
How do industrial areas vary in
terms of physical characteristics (urban form, impervious surface, building
size, street layout, etc)? (Maps, Sections,
Diagrams and Illustrations)
How are industrial uses distributed
in relationship to various demographic characteristics? (Maps)
Where are
the primary and secondary schools within the watershed? (Maps)
Are there
institutions of higher education located in the watershed? (Maps)
Are there
museums or other cultural institutions located in the watershed? (Maps)
What are
the public land ownership patterns in the watershed (public agencies, military,
etc.)? (Maps)
What
outdoor recreational resources are found within the watershed? Are they characterized as national, regional,
or community resources? Who manages these
resources? (Maps and Tables)
How are recreational uses
distributed in relationship to various demographic characteristics? (Maps)
What
modes of transportation are available within the watershed (auto, air, train,
etc.)? (Maps)
What are
the primary commuting routes in the watershed? What modes of transportation are
most people using? How far are they
traveling? (Maps and diagrams)
What are
the classification of the roadways within the watershed, based on design
standards and traffic volumes (interstate, arterial, collector,
local)? (Maps)
Where are transit centers located in the watershed (Maps)
What
trail/bicycle networks are provided in the watershed.)? (Maps)
How are transportation resources
distributed in relationship to various demographic characteristics and
densities? (Maps)
Are there existing oil, gas, geothermal, or other “conventional” energy resources
found in the watershed? (Maps)
What is
the potential for solar energy production within the watershed? What areas are most suitable? (Maps)
What is
the potential for wind energy production within the watershed? What areas are most suitable? (Maps)
What is
the potential for hydrological energy production within the watershed? What areas are most suitable? (Maps)