Natural amenities and low-density residential development: Magnitude and spatial scale of influences

Low-density residential development in rural areas is an important land use trend many parts of the world, and has disproportionate ecological impacts due to its large footprint relative population. It widely suggested that this type change driven part by natural amenities, raising concern locations high value are most rapid develop. We examine contribution amenities probability low-density controlling for more traditional drivers change. do so considering influence at two scales, individual plots, larger communities immediate vicinity. a unique primary dataset based on photo interpretation resolution imagery capture scale single house between 1990 2010. combine these data with spatially-referenced census other secondary estimate multilevel regression model conversion. Our results demonstrate near National Parks, public lands ski resorts experienced significantly higher rates conversion than those further from amenities. Within communities, undeveloped plots were 10 min closer average had 67 % holding characteristics constant, 75 lake 139 conversion, 1 standard deviation forest/non-forest variation 44 findings regarding community plot level influences literature, identifying which parcels have highest development. This can inform policy makers’ conservationists’ efforts protect places facing threats, help both regional local land-use planners manage tradeoffs environmental protection economic growth.