Rural Development Trends and Land Use Policy in Colorado: Contributors to Habitat Fragmentation?

Date of Award

5-29-2007

Document Type

Undergraduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Applied Science

Organizational Unit

University College, Environmental Policy and Management

Disciplines

Environmental Policy & Mgmt

First Advisor

Harold Tyus

Keywords

Colorado, Fragmentation, Habitat, Land use, Rural development, Rural development, Environmental aspects, Law and legislation, Colorado, Sprawl

Abstract

Fragmentation of wildlife habitat is a primary driver of global species decline. A major contributor to habitat fragmentation in the United States is rural residential development. Rural development in Colorado is occurring at rates far greater than the national average. Additionally, the lack of state-level planning control coupled with a lack of comprehensive, effective planning tools at the local level creates conditions that contribute to habitat fragmentation in many rural counties. Greater oversight and involvement in land use planning is needed by the state level to assist county governments. This study provides five recommendations to strengthen Colorado state land use policy in order to reduce habitat fragmentation.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

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