Determining Ecological Regions Based On Native Tree Distribution In Michigan, United States

Designers, planners, scientists, and government agencies are interested in the organizationand classification of the environment. Lots of works of landscape classification and ecologicalplanning have been done. The exploration of ecological region classification methods revealsspatial relationships and pattern changes. Ecological region classification based on naturalresouces benefit the ecological planning and natural resource management, promote theallocation of resources and environement. Ecological region classification differs due to differentvariables. Among these variables, native trees can reflect the change of natural environment andhuman disturbance, is qualified to be single variable. This study continues ecological regionclassification study in State of Michigan, which with multiple variables, strives for single factorclassification.First, this study introduces the background, purpose, and importance of landscape, explainsthe relationship between the selection of controlling factors and ecological regions, and stressesthe importance of ecological region classification from ecological planning aspect. For betterunderstanding the current research, a review of history and related research is conducted. Thischapter starts from modern era of landscape classification, covers classification method, Midwestclassification method, other classification efforts, plant distribution and mapping, principalcomponent analysis study, landscape ecology principles in regional land use planning, ecologicalmethod and practice in China. Then, this research illustrated research methods based on GIS andPrincipal Component Analysis including study area, data collection, statistical analysis, mapgeneration and defining regions. With summarization of dataset, data reduction, results aredeveloped. Through discussion in region location and description, map synthesis of10regionsand the interpretation of results and comparison are concluded. At last, the study studiedecological regions and implications in land use planning. Thoughts on possibility of diverselandscape, applied plant-based regional planning, incorporating regional plan with site plan,greenway planning in regional scale are discussed. The study also concluded land use planning inMichigan. Suggestions and guidelines for different regions are generated accordingly.