Ecology is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environments, focusing on processes such as energy flow, nutrient cycling, population dynamics, and ecosystem development. It aims to understand how natural processes and human activities affect ecosystems and seeks ways to maintain or restore the systemic natural balance.
A greenbelt is an area of open land retained in its natural state around a residential area, intended to provide open space, recreation opportunities, and a buffer against urban sprawl.
Public lands are tracts of land owned by the government (federal, state, or local) and are held for the purposes of conservation, recreation, resource management, and other public benefits. These lands are typically undeveloped and may be used for various regulated activities including grazing, wildlife management, recreation, timbering, mineral development, water development, and hunting.
A Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is a zoning ordinance mechanism that allows property owners in low-density or conservation areas to sell their development rights to other property owners. This system supports low-density development, such as historic preservation or open space conservation, while permitting higher density developments elsewhere, effectively balancing real estate utilization.
