USA's Built-Up Surfaces Equal Ohio In Area

WASHINGTON - If all the highways, streets, buildings, parking lots and other solid structures in the 48 contiguous United States were pieced together like a giant jigsaw puzzle, they would almost cover the state of Ohio. That is the result of a study by Christopher Elvidge of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Geophysical Data Center in Boulder, Colorado, who along with colleagues from several universities and agencies produced the first national map and inventory of impervious surface areas (ISA) in the United States.

As calculated by the researchers, the total impervious surface area of the 48 states and District of Columbia is approximately 112,610 square kilometers [43,480 square miles], and, for comparison, the total area of the state of Ohio is 116,534 square kilometers [44,994 square miles].

The new map is important, because impervious surface areas affect the environment. The qualities of impervious materials that make them ideal for construction also create urban heat islands, by reducing heat transfer from Earth's surface to the atmosphere. The replacement of heavily vegetated areas by ISA reduces sequestration of carbon, which plants absorb from the atmosphere, Elvidge says in the 15 June issue of Eos, published by the American Geophysical Union. Both of these effects can play a role in climate change.

In watersheds, impervious surface areas alter the shape of stream channels, raise the water temperature, and sweep urban debris and pollutants into aquatic environments. These effects are measurable once ten percent of a watershed's surface area is covered by ISA, Elvidge writes. The consequences of increased ISA include fewer fish and fewer species of fish and aquatic insects, as well as a general degradation of wetlands and river valleys. The impervious surface area of the contiguous United States is already slightly larger than that of its wetlands, which is 98,460 square kilometers [38,020 square miles].

Elvidge notes that few areas have ISA maps, because they are difficult and expensive to create. He used a variety of data sources to produce the map accompanying his article, including nighttime lights observed by satellite, Landsat images, and data on roads from the U.S. Census Bureau, along with aerial photography. He anticipates that this map will be useful to scientists and planners managing conservation and resource allocation, as well as those working on issues of water quality, biodiversity, habitat loss and fragmentation, and climate change.

The population of the United States is increasing by three million persons annually, Elvidge writes. New impervious surface areas are rapidly covering vegetated surfaces, including one million new single family homes and 20,000 kilometers [10,000 miles] of new roads per year. Given these trends, he says, ISA will likely become a more prominent issue in coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions for alt.pave.the.earth

As most people already know, the world is a big place. In the past there have
been some meager attempts at paving by various governments. Such great things
as interstates and freeways have been invented. However, in the future this
simply will not do. The world must be covered with beautiful, black asphalt.

Section 1: the future of the earth

1.1 Why pave the earth?

There are several advantages of a paved Earth over a non-paved Earth, the only
really important one is the ease of driving though. Today roads are narrow,
you have to turn, and most governments frown at ground travel over Mach1. With
endless blacktop in every direction, there will be no restriction to your
movement, and rocket powered hypercars will whiz in all directions. We will be
able to amuse ourselves with endless driving at incredible speeds while
drinking beer and eating wonderfully juicy burgers.

1.2 Why asphalt?

Simply put, everything else sucks. Concrete is clearly unsuitable because of
the seams that are needed for shrinking and swelling. As we are whizing around
at tremendous speeds the seams in the concrete would create nasty sounds and
unpleasant bumps. There are no other good driving surfaces.

There are of course several other benefits of asphalt, which include the
depletion of natural resources and increase of pollution in the atmosphere.
The depletion of natural resources is of course a noble goal. When faced with
the fact that the earth only has so many things which can be procured, it is of
course an enormous challenge to squeeze that last drop of oil out of the
ground. It is, however, a task which we are ready for. We can prove once and
for all that we are the masters of all. The goal of polluting has several
benefits as well. Imagine cruising along one day and looking at the darkened
sky and being able to say, "I made the sky what is today." You can take pride
in that. The other benefits won't be mentioned now since they are too
numerous; wait for future revisions of the FAQ for them.

1.3 What about traffic?

Traffic will not be a problem due to the simple fact that most people will be
slaving away beneath the surface in what has come to be called the parking
garage. These people will be needed to staff the hydroponic farms, raise cows,
brew beer and fix potholes. Most of the world's population will work for the
good of the drivers. Altruism at its best. There will also be no regulation
of traffic. Governments are outmoded and should be phased out. We know what
to do. Why should someone else tell us what to do when we already know the
proper course of action? pave, Pave, PAVE. That's what I always say.

1.4 What about [your favorite big things], won't they get in the way?

Nothing will be in the way. Mountains will be levelled, oceans and seas will
either be frozen or filled in and then paved over. Cities will all move
underground into the parking garages. All that will be left is endless,
smooth, black asphalt. One world, one people, one slab of asphalt.

Section 2: the future of other celestial objects

2.1 Are there any current plans dealing with the moon?

There are many plans on what might be done to the moon. The most commonly
accepted course of action is to cover the moon with long thin strips of
chrome. This will of course be mostly for decoration, but it will also have
the added benefit of providing the equivalent of a giant street light in the
sky. Other plans deal with AstroTurf(tm), floral wallpaper and other sorts of
things that are used to cover other objects up.

2.2 What about the other planets?

The other planets really aren't that important since they aren't as visible
from the earth. Sure, you may be able to pick out Jupiter or Venus in the sky
some nights, but you would hardly be able to see a nice paisley pattern or
anything.

2.3 Are there any plans for other solar systems?

Not yet. We're working on it, though. If some aliens were ever to discover
the earth after it is paved they would no doubt be overcome by the sheer beauty
and majesty of our creation. At this point, they would feel compelled to serve
our needs and to carry out the paving of other planets. Other than that, the
only plans that we have are to look for oil on other planets.

Section 3: that which does not fit anywhere else

3.1 Hey, when the earth is paved it'll be just great to skateboard on,
won't it?

Well, maybe. I would strongly discourage anyone from trying to go
skateboarding on the newly paved earth, due to the simple fact that they would
be as good as roadkill very quickly. It is true that everything would be nice
and smooth, but there would nothing to do grinds on or ollie over or anything,
so it wouldn't be much fun anyway. You might as well just buy a hypercar and
join the future.

3.2 Hey, cool. With a paved earth I'll be able to make tons of roadkill!

Not really. Think about it for just a minute or two. Ok, now the earth is
completely paved. Can you tell me what the little critters are going to live
on? There will be no plant life on the surface. Nothing will be on the
surface except for us. It's quite simple, really. With nothing for the
animals to eat, there will be no roadkill.

3.3 What about other stuff that I care about?

Get with it! Paving is the future. Just think about speed and lots of black
asphalt. Try not to get carried away too much though.

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