Defining the Interface: What is it? Where is it?

"Questions commonly asked of individuals studying urbanization effects on rural systems are:  what is the interface, where is it, and why is it important to define it?  Often the interface is defined in geographical terms—e.g., interface, intermix, and occluded.  These terms provide a spatial context of development with other land uses.  Similarly, the interface often is described from a fire or economic perspective.  Yet, the interface is more than a single measurement or context.  It is a composite of multiple factors that converge to form a set of conditions, which defines a landscape in space and time.  Thus, the interface is not a location, but rather a condition defined by changes to the physical, biological and social components of a landscape caused by urbanization.  But, what are these changes and how are they related?  Conceptually, physical, biological, and social components of a landscape can be viewed in a n-dimensional space with elements of the various components serving as axes.  This hypervolume is much like the hypervolume of niche theory.  By mapping the physical, social and ecological elements, the interface condition of a landscape can be defined.  Linking a temporal element enables us to examine how the landscape is changing and what are the rates of change.  From a planning and management perspective, this information provides an insight into factors creating the interface, the extent of the interface, and how it is changing.  Each are critical pieces of information for effective land-use decisions and formulating land-use policy." [Abstract from Conference Program and Book of Abstracts]

[Concurrent Session I-A: Defining the Interface]

[Presented at "Emerging Issues Along Urban/Rural Interfaces: Linking Science and Society", a conference held March 13-16, 2005 in Atlanta, GA (US)]