Benefits of Sustainable Landscapes

Question 1

10 Key Benefits

Answer 1

1) vegetative cover
2) soils
3) water supply
4) water resources
5) biodiversity
6) pollinators
7) air quality
8) reduce waste
9) mitigate disasters
10) improve human relationship with nature

Question 2

vegetative cover

Answer 2

• manages filtration of stormwater and groundwater recharge
• preserves soil structure, prevents erosion
• protects site from invasive species

Question 3

soil compaction

Answer 3

• conventional construction practices result in soil compaction through heavy equipment use
• compacted soil can lead to restricted root growth, surface water runoff, flooding, high erosion

Question 4

5 water conservation techniques

Answer 4

• rain barrels
• bio swales (landscape designed to move stormwater to a set location, planted with natives)
• cisterns (buried reservoir)
• porous paving (allow movement of stormwater through surface)
• rain gardens (planted depression that allows rainwater to collect and filter into the ground)

Question 5

protecting water resources by…

Answer 5

• reducing use of pollutants
• reducing wastewater amounts
• increasing water filtration
• increase groundwater recharge
• reduce water use
  ex: installing a riparian buffer between a crop field and a stream

Question 6

biodiversity

Answer 6

• creating a vertical structure (layering plants to mimic a natural forest)
• connectivity between habitats (promote movement of wildlife)
• plant selection
• food supply (most native plant eaters can’t eat invasive species)

Question 7

measures to care for pollinators

Answer 7

• blooming periods should overlap to provide uninterrupted food source throughout season
• plant in clumps
• provide nesting sites
• IPM

Question 8

air quality

Answer 8

• filter air pollutants
• reduce use of commercial pollutants
• use electric tools

Question 9

reduce waste

Answer 9

• material selection
• reusing water
• recycling materials

Question 10

mitigate disaster

Answer 10

• provide buffers
• reduce flooding through stormwater management
• draught tolerant plant species reduce wild fire

Question 11

human relationships

Answer 11

• promote physical / mental health by making landscapes more inviting and accessible
• reduce noise

Question 12

Sustainable Sites Initiative

Answer 12

• rating system for sustainable landscape design

- guidelines measure a site’s sustainability