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Interpreting L-THIA's Results: Forest to High Density Residential
Changing 10 acres
of forestland to high density residential in three
gradual steps results in an increase in runoff
.
Forest cover in
general is one of the lowest runoff generating
land uses. Tree cover and
fallen leaves on the ground help in percolating
a large amount of rainfall into the ground.
High density residential,
on the other hand, generates large amounts of
runoff due to large built-up and impervious areas.
Runoff generated
from residential areas can be reduced by adopting
low-impact development principles such as conservation
design principles. Also, while high
density residential areas generate higher runoff
than a comparative area converted to low density
residential, the trade-off in increased runoff
is balanced by the higher number of people that
are accomodated in the same area.
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