Albuquerque Teachers’ Institute Seminar, 1999
Environmental Impacts of Human Settlement and Urbanization on the Albuquerque Region
Les McFadden
Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences
University of New Mexico, 87131
Phone: 505-277-6121
e-mail: lmcfadnm@unm.edu
Seminar Description
We will take a geologic perspective to explore how Albuquerque's environment has
been influenced by human habitation and accelerating urbanization. First, we will survey
the evolution of the region's geologic framework over billions of years. Then we will
consider the region's landscapes, soils, and vegetation patterns, features that have
developed mainly over the last two million years during the Quaternary Period, a time of
profound climatic changes. This will provide the basis for examining such issues as soil
erosion, urbanization and flooding, potential geological hazards, waste disposal, land
subsidence, and others. Field trips to key sites will illustrate concepts and provoke
discussion.
Readings
Dorothy Merritts, Andrew De Wet, & Kirsten Menking. Environmental Geology. New
York: W. H. Freeman Publishing, 1997.
The "environmental factor" approach described by the great natural scientist
Hans Jenny is very useful in understanding the evolution of soils in the earth's surface
environments and the environmental impacts of human activities. This book includes much of
the background necessary to deal with the seminar theme. The material in chapters 1
through 5 constitutes an excellent review of basic geology. Chapters 5, 10, and 11 are
optional.
Molles, Manuel. Ecology: Concepts and Applications. New York: McGraw-IEII.1999.
Chapters 1 through 3 provide an overview of the more essential aspects of the biotic
components of the surface environment.
Other Readings
I will select other readings, primarily shorter scientific articles, specifically
relevant to field sites we will visit. Most of these will be published in the forthcoming
New Mexico Geological Society Field Conference Volume concerning geologic,
geomorphological, and environmental research in the Albuquerque
"country."
Although not required reading for the seminar, you may find the following a useful
resource, especially as you develop curriculum units:
Rosner, Hy, and Joan Rosner. Albuquerque's Environmental Story.
Available on the web at <http://www.cabq.gov/aes/
>
Field Trips
We will take five to six field trips requiring about a half day each. At
each site, we will examine some key geologic, geomorphic, biotic, soil, and cultural
features to see the environmental- historical story they tell. At each site, Fellows will
have time to conduct limited studies designed to provide a basis for subsequent
development of projects for high school and middle school students. During seminar
meetings on days between field trips, we will discuss the trips, the studies, relevant
readings, and the developing curriculum units.
Field Trip Sites:
1. The Pino Embayment, Elena Gallegos Open Space Area
Geology of the Albuquerque region; the Albuquerque Basin and Rio Grande Rift;
landscapes and key landforms; climate and vegetation communities; soils; environmental
impacts.
2. Coronado Pueblo, Bernalillo
Large Pueblo site occupied at the time of European contact; environmental factors and
impacts of Pueblo agrarian society.
3. An Albuquerque area landfill site
Geologic and environmental site factors and impact; controlling environmental
regulations.
4. Rio Grande Floodplain and Bosque
Characteristics of a large perennial river and associated fluvial landforms and
sediments the riparian vegetation community-natural and exotic invaders; soils;
environmental impacts of damming and diminished flood frequency and magnitude.
5. Rio Rancho Area
Geology; key landforms; surficial deposits and vegetation; environmental impacts of
widespread urbanization.
6. Either
a) Sandia Mountains Piedmont, Placitas area and surrounding region (geology, landforms,
faults, soils, vegetation, and geohydrological framework and impacts) or 
b) Albuquerque Volcanoes (geology, surficial deposits, environmental impacts)