ecological & economic sustainability€¦ · biodiversity “life” + diversity biodiversity...

ECOLOGICAL & ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY Lisa M. Dunaway, LEED AP Owner, Sensible Ecology, LLC Instructor of Urban Planning, Ball State University Melissa Begley, AICP Assistant Planning Director, City of Columbus, Indiana

Why does the environment work

the way it does?

Landscape Ecology

Biodiversity

“Life” + Diversity Biodiversity is the variation of life forms

within a given ecosystem, biome, or the entire Earth.

Biodiversity is often used as a measure of the health of biological systems.

The biodiversity found on Earth today consists of many millions of distinct biological species.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Web of Interdependence

Biodiversity

We discover 18,000 new species a year

26,000 species go extinct each year

Tree of Life Source: Audubon Nov/Dec 2010

Why we need Biodiversity

When biodiversity is high/healthy, nature can keep everything in balance: Clean air Clean water New soil Minimal soil erosion Resources for creatures, including

humans

Ecosystem services

Without biodiversity, our quality of life decreases rapidly.

Biodiversity provides: Plentiful & diverse food (veggies, fruits,

& fish) Lumber Oxygen Useable water Carbon sequestration Buffer large weather systems

Balance of nature

Nature keeps a balance but humans

overwhelm the system.

Why we need Biodiversity

Biodiversity = Ecological health Ecological health = Economic Sustainability Biodiversity = Economic Sustainability

=

Threats to Biodiversity

1. Non-native species 2. Fragmentation

Emerald Ash Borer Source: michigan.gov

Urban Sprawl Source: planningwithpower.org

Native Species

What are native species? A species whose presence in a region is the

result of only natural processes, with no human intervention.

Every natural organism (as opposed to a domesticated organism) has its own natural range of distribution in which it is regarded as native.

In the United States, native species are typically considered to be those who were present before European settlement (~1600s).

(Source: Wikipedia)

Non-native Species

Introduced, alien, exotic, invasive, aggressive, non-indigenous

A species living outside its native distributional range.

Arrived there by human activity, either deliberate or accidental.

Introduced species are damaging to the ecosystem they are introduced into; they negatively affect agriculture, natural resources, and health of animals and humans.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Why are they bad?

Non-natives are often aggressive (invasive) and outcompete the native vegetation.

They can hybridize native vegetation.

Natives usually don’t have defenses against alien invaders and will become ill or die.

Non-natives do not contribute to the food web.

They alter the frequency of wildfires.

Change the availability of surface and ground water.

Why are they bad? (con’t)

Decrease soil biota diversity.

Deplete soil nutrients.

Degrade aquatic systems.

Increase the threats to endangered species.

Increase soil erosion.

Introduced species of animals, plants and microbes cost the U.S. $123 billion a year

(Source: Scientific American)

Examples of Non-natives

Pear Tree

Zebra Grass

Daylily

Juniper

Ginkgo

Lilac

Hosta

Hostas Source: ligrows.com

Monocultures

Lawns are a monoculture

Do not contribute to biodiversity

All the lawns in the US add up to the twice size of Indiana! Lawns!

Source: americanconsumernews.com

Invasive Species

Emerald Ash Borer

Dutch Elm Disease

AIDS virus

Kudzu

Asian Carp

Zebra mussels

Rats

Feral cats

Cats! Photo: Lisa Dunaway

So what?

Natives

Non-natives

So what?

Every non-native planted takes the place of a native that could have lived there.

The more natives the better:

Safety in numbers

Food source for native wildlife

Provides ecosystem services

Food

If you don’t have insects – you don’t have anything.

Non-natives aren’t good for native wildlife: Don’t taste good

Our wildlife hasn’t had time to evolve with them Don’t recognize non-

natives as food

Haven’t evolved the means to digest them

90% of insects are specialists

Can’t use them as homes

Insect “damage”?! Source: harpercollege.edu

Scary Facts

Lawns in the US are the twice size of Indiana.

We’ve bought in ~50,000 non-native species.

There are 5,000 documented invasive plants in the “natural” areas of North America.

Introduced species of animals, plants and microbes cost the U.S. $123 billion a year.

(Sources: Tallamy, Milesi, Scientific American)

Native vs. Non-native

“Aren’t some non-natives okay?”

Play it safe

Not a matter of IF but WHEN

Supply & demand

i.e. Chestnut blight

Remember the global scale

If you’re truly interested in sustainability – plant natives ONLY

Best Natives for Wildlife

Source: Tallamy

North American Natives

Oaks: 80 species

Willows: 97 species

Cherries & Plums: 31 species

Birches: 16 species

Poplars, Aspens, Cottonwoods: 8 species

Crabapples: 4 species

The berries: 21 species

Maples: 9 species

Pines: 35 species

Elms: 7 species (Source: Tallamy)

Habitat Fragmentation

Urban Sprawl

Fishers, Indiana Source: Google Maps

Habitat Fragmentation

Fragmentation in Southern Indiana Source: newsinfo.iu.edu

Patches Areas of similar

habitat Often left after

disturbance Corridors

Connections between patches

Matrix The remainder of the

landscape

Patches

Areas of similar habitat Edge v. interior habitat

& species Local extinction

probability

Source: Dramstad, et al.

Edges

The perimeter of

patches

Edge structural

diversity: horizontal

& vertical

Edge as a filter


Corridors

Connections

between patches

Stepping stone

connectivity

Distance between

stepping stones

Loss of a stepping

stone


Corridors

Cluster stepping

stones (ideal)

Also called “linkages”


Matrix

The remainder of

the landscape, the

context

Animal perception

of scale of

fragmentation Source: Dramstad, et al.

Local Extinction Probability

Local Extinction Probability

New species are created more rapidly in large habitats than small habitats.

Species go extinct slower in large habitats.

We have put all our wildlife into tiny islands.

Inbreeding

No genetic diversity

They are trapped

Extinction Debt

“Extinction debt”

We degrade habitat and there is a lag before species begin to die off.

When the “debt” is paid – we will lose all native biodiversity.

Restore habitat before it’s too late! (Source: Tallamy)

Scary Facts

1:1 correspondence

If we lose 50% of the habitat, we lose 50% of our species.

We have taken & modified 95-97% of all land in the lower 48.

Effectively shrank wildlife habitat down to 1/20 of its original size.

By the time our current “debt” is paid we will have lost 95% of the species that were here when the Mayflower landed.

(Sources: Rosenzweig, Tallamy)

Scary Facts (con’t)

Paved roads in the US cover an area 1.2 times the size of Indiana!

2 million acres – size of Yellowstone – were lost to development each year between 1982 and 1997.

Suburbia has increased as much as 5,909% since 1960.

(Sources: Hayden, McKinney, Elvridge, Tallamy)

Restoring Connectivity

Plan for restoration of corridors

Bolster existing patches

Find creative ways to link patches

Source: mw2.google.com Source: cache.marriott.com

Restoring Connectivity

Establish and maintain functional habitat:

Food

Water

Cover

A place to raise young (Source: Indiana Wildlife Federation)

Food

Supply as much food as possible through native vegetation in order to meet the year-round needs of a variety of species.

Trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, succulents, and even grasses produce foods such as acorns and other nuts, berries, fruits, and seeds.

Buds, catkins, foliage, twigs, sap, nectar, and pollen are all other important wildlife food produced by plants.

Water

Like food, every living thing needs clean

water, for drinking, bathing, and sometimes

breathing!

Be sure to keep in mind the different types of

wildlife that might use your property when

selecting and designing your water feature.

An elevated birdbath is fine for flying and

climbing animals, but creatures like toads,

rabbits and turtles will need water provided

closer to the ground to meet their needs.

Cover

Wildlife needs protective

cover as protection from

predators as well as

extreme weather.

Plants play an important

role in creating this

component of habitat.

A variety of human-

designed wildlife housing

can be built or purchased.

Bat House Source: yardenvy.com

A place to raise young

The same plants that provide food will do triple-duty as a place to raise young.

Wildlife can engage in their courtship behaviors and where they can safely raise their young.

Without this unique type of cover, wildlife may pass through your habitat area but will not be able to take up a truly permanent residence in all stages of their life cycles.

Native Prairie Restoration Photo by: Lisa Dunaway

Factors to Consider

Urban Heat Island

Architecture

Pollution

Infrastructure

Urban Heat Island

Source: plg1.cs.uwaterloo.ca

Urban Heat Island Solutions

Plant trees! (and

other vegetation)

Reduce paving

Utilize green

infrastructure

methods

Limit sprawl

Utilize sustainable

building practices

Roof Garden @ Rice Plant Science Center Photo by: Lohren Deeg

Urban Heat Island Solutions

Rain Garden Source: mt.nrcs.usda.gov

Permeable Pavement Source: mytorontohomeimprovement.com

Bird Un-friendly Architecture

We lose one billion birds to building strikes every year

Building strikes are the #1 killer of our birds

Many species are not robust enough to recover those loses

Source: pictureninja.com


Lots of glass in close proximity to greenery creates lots of reflections that birds mistake for more greenery.

See-through buildings with a glass exterior and a lack of interior walls look like open sky to birds.

Open pedways, lobbies, and courtyards make birds think they can fly through.

Photo by: Lisa Dunaway


Buildings that are all reflective glass can reflect the skyline in the background and be virtually invisible to birds.

Buildings with large plants inside, either real or artificial, that can be seen from outside invite birds.

Trump Tower Chicago Photo by: Lisa Dunaway

Bird Friendly Architecture

Windows and walls set at

an angle don’t confuse

birds.

Window screens make

glass surfaces much less

reflective.

Unnecessary exterior

lighting should be turned

off at night and curtains or

blinds should be drawn on

lighted windows.

Aqua Building Chicago Photo by: Lisa Dunaway


Multiple panes &

external dividers

break up the

surface effectively.

Glass that reflects

wavelengths of

light invisible to

people but visible

to birds.

Source: designtopnews.com


Read more at

http://birds.suite

101.com/

Michigan Avenue Buildings Photo by: Lisa Dunaway

Pollution

Pollution is everywhere!

Look for sources of pollution in the eco-region

Some vegetation is good at removing pollution.

When in doubt: plant trees!

Source: euwfd.com

Water pollution

“Dead Zone” in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Source: dsc.discovery.com

Light pollution

Earth at Night Source: nasa.gov

Light Pollution Solutions

Keep them low

(close to the

ground).

Keep them

shielded, and

minimize light

trespass into the

night sky or

adjacent areas.

“Dark Sky”

compliance.

Dark Sky Compliant Lighting Source: floridahabitat.org

Light Pollution Solutions

Use long-wavelength lighting, as studies indicate longer wavelengths are less likely to impact aquatic wildlife.

Avoid using fluorescent and mercury, use LED.

Solar/LED Roadway Light Source: solarlightingitl.com

Infrastructure

Roads with high

speed limits are a

threat to migrating

wildlife.

How might wildlife

conflict with

transportation and

utilities

Power lines, cell

towers, and wind

turbines

Source: safety.wa.dot.gov

How do we make all this happen?

Planning Approaches

Getting Started

Leadership

Educate elected officials and public Public design workshops or charettes, guest

speakers

Integrate into a Comprehensive Plan

Highlight successful projects in other communities

Develop a pilot project

Create appropriate regulation or not

Benefits

Positive effects to humans and nature Health

Water quality

Reduce energy costs

Reduce oil dependency

Environmental aesthetics

Bioswale Source: bellewood-gardens.com

Methods/Approaches

Habitat Fragmentation Preserve Stream Corridors

Flood Plain restrictions

Steep Slope Ordinances

Open Space Ordinances (private)

Park Impact Fees - funding for open space acquisition (public)

Wetland protection/remediation ordinance

Tree Preservation Ordinances

Increase density levels in community

Methods/Approaches

Lighting Lighting Plan

Water Quality Stormwater Ordinances

Green roof

Erosion control Ordinances

Partnerships with local farmers – BMP’s

Barriers

People don’t see the need

Conflicts with existing codes – Building and subdivison codes

Reliance on traditional stormwater control devises

Maintenance

Decisions should be based on reason rather than dogmatism

Building infrastructure rather than preserving natural systems

Low-Hanging Fruit

Develop an Environmental Features map Floodplains, streams,

steep slopes, tree stands, parks, poor soils, wetlands

Site plan review

Modify open space requirements

Source: geology.isu.edu/geostac/

http://geology.isu.edu/geostac/Field_Exercise/wildfire/images/topomap.jpg

Low-Hanging Fruit

Conclusion

Think of the BIG picture!

Large scale

Long view

Biodiversity = Ecological health

Without biodiversity, there is no Economic

Sustainability.

Ecology + Economics = Sustainability

Sources

http://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/publications/PDFs/

Radeloff_etal_ConsBio2005.pdf

http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/ 1998/3/1/Getting-to-Know-a-Place-Site- Evaluation-as-a-Starting-Point-for-Green- Design/

Dramstad, et al. Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning. 1996.

http://www.cfr.washington.edu/classes.esc.350/Suburban%20wildlife%20paper.pdf

http://www.elibrary.state.pa.us/dldoc.asp? fn=4204522584mcp0275.pdf

Adams, Lowell W. Urban Wildlife Habitats. 1994.

Sources

http://www.springerlink.com/content/u457w1372867k807/fulltext.pdf

http://depts.washington.edu/open2100/Resources/5_New%20Research/ UrbanEcosystems.pdf

http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/for/for74/ for7 4.htm

http://www.az.itu.edu.tr/downloads/papers/ vol04-01/pdf/07sweeney-04n1.pdf

http://indianawildlife.org

Farr, Douglas. Sustainable Urbanism, Urban Design with Nature. 2008.

Slone, Daniel & Doris S. Goldstein. A Legal Guide to Urban and Sustainable Development for Planners, Developers and Architects. 2008.

Lisa M. Dunaway, LEED AP Owner, Sensible Ecology, LLC Instructor of Urban Planning, Ball State University Melissa Begley, AICP Assistant Planning Director, City of Columbus, Indiana

THANK YOU!

ecological & economic sustainability€¦ · biodiversity “life” + diversity biodiversity...

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