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Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape

Discover sustainable landscape management strategies that balance economic, ecological, and social needs for a thriving environment. Learn about plant selection, soil quality, and resource utilization for long-term sustainability.

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Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape

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  1. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Robert Schutzki and Elise Tripp Department of Horticulture Michigan State University

  2. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Sustainability • “Meeting the needs of today’s population without diminishing the ability of future populations to meet their needs”. • United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (1987)

  3. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Needs • Political • Economic • Ecological • Social

  4. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Needs • Allocation and use of natural resources • Preservation of biological systems function over time

  5. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Sustainability • Resource Sufficiency • Functional Integrity • Non-substantive • Thompson (2006) Agricultural Sustainability: What it is and what it is not www.smep.msu.edu/documents/sustainability_Thompson.pdf

  6. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Resource Sufficiency • Utilization of Resources • Available Resources • Predicted availability based on utilization • Nature or characteristic of the resource • Renewal, Regenerative, Reclaimable

  7. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Functional Integrity • Self-regenerating system • The inability of a system to reproduce itself is considered unsustainable

  8. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Non-substantive • Moral judgment • Value judgments • Interests and Biases

  9. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Triple Bottom Line – People, Planet and Profits • Organizational and Societal Success • Financial Gain and Stability • Environmental and Social Performance • Elkington (1994), Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business

  10. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Triple Bottom Line – People, Planet and Profits • Energy Consumption • Waste Generation • Use of Resources

  11. Sustainable Landscapes

  12. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • What is a Sustainable Landscape?

  13. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Sustainable Landscapes • Preservation, Conservation, Restoration • Protecting Natural Systems • Maintaining Natural Function • Environmental Quality

  14. Sustainable Landscape • Energy Consumption • Waste Generation • Use of Resources • Self-regenerating • Environmental Contribution

  15. Sustainable Landscapes • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • U.S. Green Building Council • BuildingGreen Inc.

  16. Sustainable Landscapes

  17. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Sustainable Landscape Development • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification, USGBC • Sustainable Sites Initiative, ASLA & LBJ Wildflower Center • LAND Code (Land and Natural Development), Balmori and Benoit, 2004 • Low Impact Development • Smart Growth

  18. Conventional Landscapes

  19. Conventional Landscapes

  20. Conventional Landscapes

  21. Conventional Landscapes

  22. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Landscape Development • Design • Construction • Management

  23. Conventional Landscapes • Minimize resources required to construct and maintain the landscape • Utilize resources efficiently • Utilize renewal resources • Maximize internal cycling of energy and materials

  24. Conventional Landscapes • Minimize waste outputs • Construct a dynamic biological system • Construct a “built” ecosystem that provides natural functions

  25. Sustainability in Conventional Landscapes comes from: • Plants • Soil • Water • Atmosphere

  26. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Plants: Every plant performs a function in the landscape

  27. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Right Plant, Right Place • Function – User Benefits • Aesthetics – Curb Appeal • Site Conditions – Environmental Influences • Management – Required Maintenance

  28. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Site Appropriate Plant Selection (SAPS) Definition: Selecting plant material adapted to a site to perform natural functions, resulting in interactions within a community.

  29. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Goals of SAPS: • Establish/replace natural functions • Minimize inputs and outputs • water • fertilizer • pesticides • labor • pruning • mowing

  30. Turfgrasses of Michigan: Characteristics and Adaptation * Only as a temporary cover during establishment.

  31. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Soils • Soil Quality

  32. Soil Quality • Soil functions to : • Sustain plant growth • Sustain environmental quality • Provide for plant, animal, and human health. • The terms “Soil Quality” and “Soil Health” describe the soil’s ability to perform the above functions.

  33. Assessment of Soil Quality • Not one measurable parameter. • Soil Quality Indicators: • Physical properties • Soil Texture • Bulk Density – weight per unit volume • Rooting/soil depth • Water infiltration/conductivity • Water Holding Capacity • Structure/Aggregate Stability

  34. Soil Quality Indicators • Soil Chemical Properties • pH • Electrical Conductivity (EC) • Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) • Soil Organic Matter (SOM) • Mineralizable N • Exchangeable Cations (nutrients)

  35. Soil Quality Indicators • Soil Biological Properties • Organic Nitrogen • Organic Carbon • Microbial Biomass • Macroorganisms

  36. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Water • Water Quantity • Water Quality • Soil Conservation • Plant Management

  37. Movement Toward Water Conservation • Reduction of potable water for irrigation use • Demand for increased irrigation system efficiency • The cost of water • Infrastructure limitations • Rising water / sewer costs • Increasing residential and commercial development

  38. Environmentally Sustainable Landscapes • Demand more from the irrigation designer • Requires use of efficient products and proper installation. • Shifting role of irrigation contractor to water manager • Requires better educated individuals.

  39. U. S. EPA WaterSensewww.epa.gov/watersense • Certification programs for irrigation professionals • Design (IA’s CID program has been approved) • Installation (IA’s CIC program has been approved) • Auditing • Labeling of irrigation products (coming soon) • Irrigation Controllers • Drip irrigation

  40. This presentation will probably involve audience discussion, which will create action items. Use PowerPoint to keep track of these action items during your presentation • In Slide Show, click on the right mouse button • Select “Meeting Minder” • Select the “Action Items” tab • Type in action items as they come up • Click OK to dismiss this box • This will automatically create an Action Item slide at the end of your presentation with your points entered. Advancements in Irrigation EfficiencySaving Water in the Landscape

  41. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Atmosphere • Carbon Sequestration • Heat Island • Pollution

  42. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Trees absorb carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming along with other gases that add to urban pollution. • The American Forest organization determined that tree cover in San Antonio, Texas is saving $70 million a year in ecological services.

  43. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • U. S. Department of Energy estimated that three properly placed trees can save between $100 and $250 in annual heating and cooling costs. • Trees shading an outdoor air conditioning unit can increase its efficiency by 10%.

  44. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • One tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, equaling 11,000 miles of car emissions. • One acre of trees has the ability to remove 13 tons of particles and gases annually. • Appropriate tree placement can reduce household energy consumption for heating and cooling up to 25%.

  45. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape • Bring together the various disciplines and professionals in landscape development • Employ sound science, current technology, and best management practices

  46. Conventional Landscapes

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