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| A Project of Land-of-Sky Regional Council 339 New Leicester Hwy. Asheville, NC 28806 ph: (828) 251-6622 fax: (828) 251-6353 |
| Linking Lands and Communities in the Land-of-Sky Region Creating a framework for conservation and development that respects community values and natural systems |
WHY A REGIONAL NETWORK OF NATURAL SYSTEMS?
A regional network of natural systems provides an important context for land use decisions that affect how our ecosystems function on a
broader scale. Healthy ecosystems produce a myriad of services that our communities depend on for survival -- like clean drinking water,
carbon storage, flood storage, local food supplies, and other goods and services. When a natural system isn't functioning as it should (i.
e., a stream is clogged with sediment or soil is eroding on a steep mountain slope), it loses its ability to provide these services.
human body, where a person's health is dependent on all the systems in the human body working together. An injury or disease that
impacts one organ or a group of organs can severely disrupt the entire body's ability to function. Our ecosystems in nature function very
much the same way - with many different systems - wetlands, forests, streams, riparian areas - all contributing to the larger landscape's
ability to function. When we sever these interconnected systems, or damage or remove them - other parts of landscape are affected.
Identifying a regional network of naturally functioning ecosystems encourages us think about our natural landscape as an interconnected
system, and to bring this awareness into the land use decisions that are made at the site,county, and regional scales. Whether we are
contemplating the future of a wetland, planning for a new road, developing a site plan for a new residential development, or targeting our
conservation dollars, thinking about the broader context in which these actions take place can be key to protecting the ecosystems
services on which our communities depend.
Fragmentation of the Landscape
habitat has been cut up into a collection of smaller patches of habitat. It typically occurs when land is converted from one type of habitat
(or land use) to another. A new housing development, a road, or even a paved walking trail can separate one part of a forest from another,
block an animal's migration route, and increase the edge effect (and subsequently decreases levels of biodoversity).
By defining a regional network, we can minimize land use activities that fragment large functioning ecosystems in our high quality areas
and direct them to places that are better suited. There are also some human activities are compatible with large intact natural systems.
For example, agricultural areas (if managed sustainably) can provide buffers between urban areas and more natural areas. A regional
network of lands can help to identify compatible land uses and corridors that provide important connections between natural systems.
the land up into smaller pieces that are more manageable. It just makes sense. However, the result is a patchwork quilt of ownership
patterns, regulations and management strategies that have little to do with how the landscape actually functions - or what it needs to
function well. Using a regional approach helps to bring together all of these agencies and organizations responsible for land use
decisions to understand the broader context outside of their jurisdiction or focal area. A regional approach can encourage partnerships
and collaborative activities that serve local communities as well as the natural landscape that they share.
The Regional Network also addresses a number of challenges currently facing the Land-of-Sky region.
A regional network of natural systems provides an important context for land use decisions that affect how our ecosystems function on a
broader scale. Healthy ecosystems produce a myriad of services that our communities depend on for survival -- like clean drinking water,
carbon storage, flood storage, local food supplies, and other goods and services. When a natural system isn't functioning as it should (i.
e., a stream is clogged with sediment or soil is eroding on a steep mountain slope), it loses its ability to provide these services.
human body, where a person's health is dependent on all the systems in the human body working together. An injury or disease that
impacts one organ or a group of organs can severely disrupt the entire body's ability to function. Our ecosystems in nature function very
much the same way - with many different systems - wetlands, forests, streams, riparian areas - all contributing to the larger landscape's
ability to function. When we sever these interconnected systems, or damage or remove them - other parts of landscape are affected.
Identifying a regional network of naturally functioning ecosystems encourages us think about our natural landscape as an interconnected
system, and to bring this awareness into the land use decisions that are made at the site,county, and regional scales. Whether we are
contemplating the future of a wetland, planning for a new road, developing a site plan for a new residential development, or targeting our
conservation dollars, thinking about the broader context in which these actions take place can be key to protecting the ecosystems
services on which our communities depend.
Fragmentation of the Landscape
habitat has been cut up into a collection of smaller patches of habitat. It typically occurs when land is converted from one type of habitat
(or land use) to another. A new housing development, a road, or even a paved walking trail can separate one part of a forest from another,
block an animal's migration route, and increase the edge effect (and subsequently decreases levels of biodoversity).
By defining a regional network, we can minimize land use activities that fragment large functioning ecosystems in our high quality areas
and direct them to places that are better suited. There are also some human activities are compatible with large intact natural systems.
For example, agricultural areas (if managed sustainably) can provide buffers between urban areas and more natural areas. A regional
network of lands can help to identify compatible land uses and corridors that provide important connections between natural systems.
the land up into smaller pieces that are more manageable. It just makes sense. However, the result is a patchwork quilt of ownership
patterns, regulations and management strategies that have little to do with how the landscape actually functions - or what it needs to
function well. Using a regional approach helps to bring together all of these agencies and organizations responsible for land use
decisions to understand the broader context outside of their jurisdiction or focal area. A regional approach can encourage partnerships
and collaborative activities that serve local communities as well as the natural landscape that they share.
The Regional Network also addresses a number of challenges currently facing the Land-of-Sky region.