Softscapes: Plants for Sustainability

Question 1

How do designers impact the environment?

Answer 1

Designers have a SIGNIFICANT impact on the environment through their choice of plants and materials.

Question 2

What are four key uses of plants for sustainability?

Answer 2

1) Plants for Energy Conservation
2) Plants for Water Conservation
3) Plants for Green Infrastructure
4) Plants for Ecosystem Rejuvenation

Question 3

What are eight key benefits of plants?

Answer 3

1) They stabilize soil
2) They mitigate stormwater runoff
3) Cool air through transpiration
4) Produce oxygen
5) Absorb pollutants
6) Reduce Energy Consumption
7) Sequester Carbon
8) Provide food and shelter for wildlife

Question 4

How do deciduous trees help conserve energy?

Answer 4

1) Shade in the summer, windbreaks in the winter - mitigates temperature extremes.
2) Deciduous trees planted to the south and west block sun in the Summer. In winter, lost leaves allow sun through.

Question 5

How do evergreen trees help conserve energy?

Answer 5

3) Evergreens 12-18” away from a building (as foundation plants) insulate buildings.
4) Evergreens provide year-round shade.

Question 6

What makes the most effective windbreaks?

Answer 6

Evergreen trees in a staggered double row, typically to the North and West of a building (but dependent upon typical wind direction of site).

Question 7

What is xeriscaping?

Answer 7

Xeriscaping is designing landscapes that rarely need irrigation. It makes use of native/local plants, and plants that tolerate dry soil, like succulents.

Question 8

What are two ways to use plants for water conservation?

Answer 8

Xeriscaping and minimizing/eliminating turf grass.

Question 9

How do plants help to improve stormwater management?

Answer 9

1) Any changes to contours of a surface changes the water flow.
2) Plants and soil significantly reduce water flow compared to hardscape, allowing the water to infiltrate the water table.
3) Plants help increase soil infiltration and evapotranspiration.