Sprawl and forest cover: what is the relationship?

For decades observers have expressed concern about losses of farmland to sprawl, but until recently they have neglected the effects of sprawl on forests. In this paper we examine how suburban real estate development affected forest cover in New Jersey between 1986 and 1995. Increases in development did accelerate losses of forest cover, primarily in the wealthy, suburban belt of communities that ring New York City. Forest cover remained stable or increased slightly in places with few forests or protected forests. Central place theory provides the most succinct explanation for the pattern of forest losses and gains across communities.