- by Marcos Vanetta and Neena Satija
- October 3, 2014
Thevast majorityof Texas land — 83 percent — is part of a farm, ranch or forest. But Texas is losing such rural land more than any other state, in large part because of the exploding growth of metropolitan areas, according to newly released data.
Scientistssaythat has serious implications for Texas' water supply because such acreage — known as "working lands" or "open space" lands — helps the state retain water resources by letting rain infiltrate the ground and circulate into aquifers.
The map below shows the results of thelatestTexas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources survey on land trends, which is performed every five years. According to the survey, Texas lost about 1 million acres of open space lands between 1997 and 2012. Click on a county in the map below to see how its open space acreage has changed.
A majority of the land loss happened in the growing urban areas around Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston.
“Those lands are basically providing a public benefit in terms of water storage” and aquifer recharge, said Roel Lopez, director of the A&M institute and a co-author of the survey. “A good pastureland is like a sponge, versus a parking lot, which is actually like a rock. That rain just runs off, and it’s hard to capture it.”
At the same time, the market value of land is increasing in almost every Texas county, but it’s increasing the most in the booming metropolitan areas. Travis County, for example, lost almost a quarter of its open space while land gained an average of $8,297 per acre in value between 1997 and 2012.Click on a county in the map below to see the changes in market value.
In Texas, where more than 95 percent of land is privately owned, there are unique challenges for the conservation of open space lands. As land gets more expensive, those who own open spaces will have more of an incentive to sell their acres to developers. And governments trying to conserve land by buying up open spaces will have to spend more money to do so.
Disclosure: Texas A&M University is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune.A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewedhere.
As an environmental expert with a deep understanding of land conservation and water resource management, it's crucial to address the concerns highlighted in the article by Marcos Vanetta and Neena Satija, published on October 3, 2014. The comprehensive data presented in the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources survey reveals alarming trends in the loss of open space lands in Texas, particularly due to the rapid expansion of metropolitan areas.
The evidence presented in the survey indicates that Texas, with 83 percent of its land designated as farm, ranch, or forest, is experiencing a significant decline in these "working lands" or "open space" lands. The loss of approximately 1 million acres between 1997 and 2012 is attributed to the urban sprawl around major cities like Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston.
One of the critical implications highlighted by scientists is the impact on Texas' water supply. Open space lands play a vital role in water retention by allowing rainwater to infiltrate the ground and circulate into aquifers. Roel Lopez, the director of the A&M institute and a co-author of the survey, emphasizes the public benefit provided by these lands, stating that "a good pastureland is like a sponge" compared to urban areas that act like impermeable surfaces such as parking lots.
The map provided in the article visually represents the changes in open space acreage and market value across Texas counties. It is evident that the majority of land loss occurs in urbanizing regions, leading to a decline in the acreage that contributes to water storage and aquifer recharge.
Another noteworthy aspect is the simultaneous increase in the market value of land, particularly in booming metropolitan areas like Travis County. The economic dynamics contribute to a challenging situation for conservation efforts, as rising land values provide an increased incentive for owners of open spaces to sell their land to developers. As the article points out, this poses unique challenges for Texas, where over 95 percent of land is privately owned.
In conclusion, the article underscores the urgent need for effective conservation strategies and policy interventions to balance urban development with the preservation of open space lands in Texas. The intricate relationship between land use, water resources, and economic factors requires a holistic approach to ensure sustainable growth and environmental stewardship.
