LEED Sustainable Sites Flashcards

1
Q

A project team has decided to modify a low SRI roof design to include a vegetated roof to help with rainwater management. What other credit would this decision help with? A. Heat island reduction B. On-site renewable energy C. Light pollution reduction D. Construction activity pollution prevention

A

Heat Island Reduction

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2
Q

A project team will provide outdoor space to encourage occupant health and activity. Which of the following are examples of quality open space? (Choose 2) A. A jogging trail B. An artificial turf for an outdoor soccer field C. Garden space dedicated to community gardens D. Small strips of turf in parking lots

A

A. Jogging Trail. C. Garden Space Dedicated to community gardens

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3
Q

Which of the following project team member(s) is typically responsible for developing the erosion and sedimentation control (ESC) plan for construction activity pollution prevention? A. The architect(s) B. The project owner(s) C. The LEED AP D. The civil engineer(s)

A

D. Civil Engineers

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4
Q

What are the economic benefits of installing a vegetated roof? A. Provides occupants a connection to the outdoors. B. Lower cooling costs for HVAC. C. Lower investment cost compared to roof surfaces with high SRI. D. Increased habitat for birds

A

Lower cooling costs for HVAC

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5
Q

A project developer is creating an erosion and sedimentation control plan. The plan must conform to which of the following requirements? A. The Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) B. The LEED ESC Plan C. The EPA Construction General Permit or the local equivalent D. The landscape architect’s site elevations

A

The EPA Construction General Permit or the local equivalent

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6
Q

What is a benefit of increasing the quantity of open space on a project? (Choose 2) A. Reducing potable water use B. Increasing rainwater infiltration C. More habitat for vegetation and wildlife D. Increased durability of the overall project

A

B. Increasing rainwater infiltration. C. More habitat for vegetation and wildlife

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7
Q

Which of the following does a site assessment evaluate? (Choose 3) A. Existing structures B. Hydrology C. Surrounding density D. Geology E. Shading

A

A. Existing Structures. B. Hydrology. D. Geology

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8
Q

Which of the following actions can a project team take to help manage runoff on-site in a dense urban area? (Choose 2) A. Harvest rainwater B. Design all parking under the building C. Install a green roof D. Increase the size of the drainage pipes

A

A. Harvest Rainwater. C. Install a green roof

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9
Q

How can the heat island effect on the roof of a building be reduced? A. Covering the roof with recycled materials. B. Providing underground parking. C. Increasing the amount of roof insulation. D. Painting the roof with a high SRI coating

A

Painting the roof with a high SRI coating

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10
Q

A project team decides to build up, instead of out, to reduce the building footprint. This strategy could help with _____. A. Increasing surrounding density B. Construction activity pollution prevention C. Increasing diverse uses
D. Increasing open space

A

Increasing open space

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11
Q

A project owner is locating an office building on a greenfield near a wetland. The project team has goals of protecting sensitive ecosystems, reducing the heat-island effect, designing a healthy building, and reducing energy demand. Given these goals, where should the project team start? A. By sourcing local materials
B. By determining if a demand response program is available from the local utility company
C. By finding out if the owner can lease a renewable energy system D. By completing an early site assessment

A

By completing an early site assessment

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12
Q

In an integrated approach to rainwater management, which of the following actions should a project team take to reduce runoff volume and improve water quality? A. Provide habitat and promote biodiversity B. Assess the site for environmental contamination C. Replicate the natural hydrology and water balance of the site D. Control soil erosion from construction activities

A

Replicate the natural hydrology and water balance of the site

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13
Q

A United Nations study indicates that which of the following percentages of the ecosystem services that have been assessed worldwide are currently degraded or used unsustainably? A. 50%
B. 60%
C. 30%
D. 40%

A

60%

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14
Q

What design strategy would reduce the light trespass from a site to help prevent light pollution? A. Up-lighting B. Install lamp posts every 20 feet (6 meters) around the entire property line C. Paint all hardscapes white D. Install shielded fixtures

A

Install shielded fixtures

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15
Q

What does the emissivity of a material refer to? A. The measure of a material’s ability to reflect sunlight (including the visible, infrared, and ultraviolet wavelengths) on a scale of 0 to 1 B. How hot a surface gets relative to standard black and standard white surfaces C. The environmental benefits of the material over time D. The ratio of energy radiated by a particular material to energy radiated by a black body at the same temperature

A

The ratio of energy radiated by a particular material to energy radiated by a black body at the same temperature

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16
Q

Why would a landscape designer choose native landscaping in an arid climate? (Choose 2) A. Minimize evapotranspiration B. Increase occupant well-being and productivity C. Support integrated pest management (IPM) D. Heat island reduction E. Provide linked habitat corridors in urban areas

A

A. Minimize evapotranspiration. C. Support integrated pest management (IPM)

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17
Q

A project site in an urban area has already been selected by an owner. The team is researching how it can reduce the heat-island effect and have open space at the lowest cost. Which of the following should be considered for a rooftop design? A. An artificial turf soccer field on the roof B. An intensive vegetated roof C. A roof covered with high SRI material D. An extensive vegetated roof

A

An extensive vegetated roof

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18
Q

The use of open grid pavement can help a project achieve points in what LEED areas? (Choose 2) A. Outdoor Water Use Reduction B. Heat Island Reduction C. Open Space D. Rainwater Management

A

B. Heat island reduction. D. Rainwater management

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19
Q

Reducing the building’s footprint will have positive synergies with which of the following? (Choose 2) A. Open space B. Rainwater management C. Preservation of historic districts D. Access to diverse uses E. Surrounding density

A

A. Open space. B. Rainwater management

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20
Q

The Sustainable Sites category focuses on all of the following EXCEPT which of the following: A. Restoring project site elements B. The ways in which community infrastructure affects occupants’ behavior and environmental performance. C. Preserving the biodiversity on which natural systems rely D. Integrating the site with local and regional ecosystems

A

B. The ways in which community infrastructure affects occupants’ behavior and environmental performance.

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21
Q

What does LEED accept as part of a building design to qualify as open space for projects in urban areas? A. Vegetated (green) roofs B. Shaded parking lots C. Higher density buildings D. Balconies

A

A. Vegetated (green) roofs

22
Q

A project team is evaluating materials to help reduce heat islands for a building’s roof and parking lot in a dense urban center. Which of the following would be most effective? (Choose 2) A. Reflective materials B. Recycled materials C. Materials low up-front costs D. High SRI materials E. Black materials

A

A. Reflective Materials. D. High SRI materials

23
Q

What material attribute would a project team use to compare different products’ abilities to reject solar heat? A. Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) B. Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
C. Emissivity D. ENERGY STAR label

A

Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)

24
Q

Which of the following project features does NOT promote biodiversity? A. An extensive green roof B. A soccer field C. The financial support of a conservation organization D. An intensive green roof

A

B. A soccor field

25
Q

What design strategy would promote biodiversity the most? A. Installing a dry pond planted with invasive plants B. Installing a rock garden C. Planting a variety of indigenous plants D. Increasing open space and covering it with turf grass

A

C. Planting a variety of indigenous plants

26
Q

Construction activity pollution prevention should address what environmental protection measures? (Choose 3) A. Waterway sedimentation B. Soil erosion C. Airborne dust D. Fresh water consumption E. Ozone protection F. Greenhouse gas emissions

A

A. Waterway sedimentation B. Soil erosion

C. Airborne dust

27
Q

Which part of the development process would inform design decisions, such as locating community gardens in areas with fertile soils? A. Environmental site assessment B. Construction activity pollution prevention C. Energy modeling D. Site assessment

A

Site assessment (not environmental site assessment)

28
Q

Projects may be able to use some of the same techniques for both ______________: A. designing for flexibility and open space. B. construction activity pollution prevention and habitat conservation and restoration. C. site assessment and submetering. D. exterior lighting reduction and quality views.

A

B. construction activity pollution prevention and habitat conservation and restoration.

29
Q

What are ways to reduce water pollution from runoff? (Choose 2) A. Open grid paving B. Increasing the building footprint C. Rain gardens D. Impervious concrete hardscapes

A

A. Open grid paving. C. Rain gardens

30
Q

A project design includes low-impact development and erosion and sedimentation control. Which of the following will be aided by these strategies? (Choose 2) A. The creation of buffers between development and water resources B. Walkability C. An increase of the floor-area ratio D. On-site rainwater management E. Access to diverse uses

A

A. The creation of buffers between development and water resources. D. On-site rainwater management (low impact development LID)

31
Q

A bioswale would be used to help earn credit in what LEED category? A. Indoor Environmental Quality B. Energy and Atmosphere C. Water Efficiency D. Sustainable Sites

A

Site Sustainability

32
Q

A data center is located in a remote, forested area. In which of the following ways could the project team reduce light pollution? A. By installing lights that shine upward B. By placing exterior lights close to the project boundary C. By installing surfaces and lights that reduce glare D. By increasing the number of exterior lights

A

C. By installing surfaces and lights that reduce glare

33
Q

A project that specifies soil restoration as part of its site design is contributing to which of the following environmental benefits? A. Increasing open space B. Preventing construction activity pollution C. Restoring habitat D. Reducing heat islands

A

Restoring habitat

34
Q

Construction activity pollution prevention has synergies with which of the following other project areas? (Choose 2) A. Protecting or restoring habitat B. Rainwater management C. Heat island reduction D. Outdoor water use

A

A. Protecting or restoring habitat B. Rainwater management

35
Q

A project owner is concerned about the safety of building occupants during the evening hours as they walk to the parking lot. What exterior lighting strategy would ensure occupant safety, prevent light pollution, and conserve energy? A. Installing timers that shut off the lights after hours B. Use shielded LED fixtures that are on 24 hours day C. Install up-lighting in the parking lot D. Strategically place lighting to shine into the roads surrounding the property

A

A. Installing timers that shut off the lights after hours

36
Q

What information is needed to calculate the SRI of a material? (Choose 2)
A. Reflectance B. Emissivity C. Thickness of the material D. Thermal gradient

A

A. Reflectance. B. Emissivity

37
Q

Which of the following can increase the heat island effect in urban areas? (Choose 2) A. Rooftops covered with a high SRI material B. Buildings that have passive ventilation C. Air-conditioners D. Street equipment

A

C. Air-conditioning. D. Street equipment

38
Q

What is true about a project that is located in an urban area? A. The project team will likely have to select a site on previously undeveloped land B. The project will need to be located near mass transit to achieve LEED certification C. The project is likely to experience higher cooling costs due to the heat island effect D. The design of the project within the project boundary is unlikely to contain open space

A

C. The project is likely to experience higher cooling costs due to the heat island effect

39
Q

Which of the following has the most synergy with other credits? A. Green cleaning B. Site assessment C. Quality of views D. Acoustics

A

B. Site assessments

40
Q

What environmental issue occurs from runoff? A. Sedimentation B. Ozone depletion C. Heat islands D. Increased municipal wastewater treatment costs

A

A. Sedimentation

41
Q

What does the use of light-colored, pervious paving help with? (Choose 2) A. Habitat conservation B. Heat island reduction C. Open space D. Rainwater management

A

B. Heat island reduction. D. Rainwater management

42
Q

A LEED project is in the pre-design phase, and a previously developed site has already been selected. The team wants to protect or restore habitat. Which of the following strategies should they consider? A. Using pervious paving materials for the parking area B. Restoring compacted soils and revegetating C. Increasing the floor-to-area ratio of the building D. Implementing a construction activity pollution plan

A

B. Restoring compacted soils and revegetating

43
Q

Which of the following can increase the heat island effect in urban areas? A. Reduced air flow from tall buildings and narrow streets B. Large areas of turf grass C. Hardscapes shaded by trees D. Underground parking

A

A. Reduced air flow from tall buildings and narrow streets

44
Q

Which of the following strategies can a project team combine to mimic natural systems and manage rainwater? A. Piping and conveyance B. Submetering irrigation systems and replacing potable water with non-potable water C. Xeriscaping and monitoring yearly rainfall D. Green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID)

A

D. Green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID)

45
Q

When evaluating materials that would help with heat-island reduction, which of the following is the MOST important material attribute? A. An SR B. An SRI C. A three-year aged SR value D. Thermal emittance

A

C. A three-year aged SR value (Solar Reflectance Value)

46
Q

What is a strategy for construction activity pollution prevention that would prevent waterway sedimentation? A. Reducing fertilization B. Providing natural buffers around the property C. Protecting on-site materials D. Increasing soil compaction

A

B. Providing natural buffers around the property

47
Q

A team wants to provide quality open space on the project site. Which of the following strategies should it consider? A. A private garden for company executives B. A community garden located adjacent to the project boundary C. A water-detention pond D. A walking trail around the property

A

D. A walking trail around the property

48
Q

The project owner of a LEED BD+C Retail project has decided NOT to provide financial support to a local land trust. Which of the following will this decision impact? A. Open space B. Reduced-parking footprint C. Habitat protection or restoration D. Surrounding density and diverse uses

A

C. Habitat protection or restoration

49
Q

What type of plants should be used on a green roof to promote biodiversity? A. Tall plants that provide shade B. Native plants C. Monocultures D. Plants with high watering needs

A

Native Plants

50
Q

Which of the following can happen as a result of increased rainwater runoff? A. Decreased energy performance B. Increased potable water use C. Eutrophication D. Increased heat islands

A

C. Eutrophication (ecosystem response to addition of artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates from fertilizers or sewage, to an aquatic system)