West Meade Ecology

THE FUTURE OF WEST NASHVILLE

"The Reserve" is one of the developments in the neighborhood that we are concerned about. To learn more about this property, click here. Responsible development in Nashville will require regional planning and coordination amongst many landowners and developers. Let us take this plot of land as a starting place to see what sorts of options we face.

Below are two hypothetical ways that development on "The Reserve" and adjacent properties might proceed in the next few years. Scroll to the bottom of the page to read more about the principles behind planning healthy ecological preserves.

Preferred Development. Housing is clustered, and preserved areas are planned in cooperation with neighboring developments in order to maximize the connectedness. A large contiguous set of forest maintains an ecological corridor passing through. A secluded valley of deep interior forest provides nice habitat for sensitive species.	Poorly planned development. This scenario has fewer housing units, with the same quantity of preserved area set aside. However, the preserved area here is fragmented into numerous unconnected "islands." Lots of edges and scant interior forest mean that sensitive species will not be able to survive here. There is also no ecological corridor maintained.

CONCEPTS IN PRESERVE PLANNING

Corridors: Link Preserved Areas - Increases effective area of preserve

Provides Enhanced Recreational Opportunities
Allows Wildlife Movement

For Breeding and Migration
Buffer against population declines (allows for re-colonization)

Can have cascading effects on the entire ecological community

Minimize Edge/Area Ratio - Provides habitat for sensitive species

Want to read more about corridors? Click here.
Want to read more about urban planning and "habitat islands?" Click here.