High Performance Landscape Research. A GSA-BRIT Research Collaboration

Transcription

1 High Performance Landscape Research A GSA-BRIT Research Collaboration

2 Background Presidential Memorandum Pollinator health Pollinator research Collaboration with the General Services Administration (GSA) Ecosystem services Water Air Wildlife habitat Human health

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4 Evaluate landscaping decisions Inform Environmental Economic Aesthetic Federal properties Property managers Landscapers Public

5 Driving Questions Which landscape design and management elements are linked with abundance and diversity of native pollinators? serve to minimize potable water inputs in the landscape? are most effective at minimizing the carbon footprint of urban landscapes? are linked with improving soil health? What types of landscape designs and management regimes optimize benefits and minimize costs?

6 Experimental Design Variables Plants Soil % high value to pollinators Bloom time Species richness Design principles Water usage % organic matter Assessments Pollinators Abundance Type Visit nature Water use Net carbon footprint Maintenance Aesthetic appeal Soil health Outcome High Performance Landscape Evaluation Calculator Tool

7 High Performance Landscapes Calculator Tool Experimental Research Plots + Literature Review = Informed Calculator

8 Research Site Locations

9 Fort Worth Federal Center GSA Site 20 plots

10 GSA Site Research Variables: Percent cover of high value pollinator plants, total bloom time, design style

11 BRIT Site 20 plots in the parking lot endcaps

12 BRIT Site Research Variables: soil organic matter, water use, design style

13 BRIT Site Plants Native to Texas except Bermuda grass and St. Augustine Low, medium and high water use

14 Low Water Use Plants Common Name Genus Species Sidecluster Milkweed Asclepias oenotheroides Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa Green Milkweed Asclepias viridis Winecup Callirhoe involuncrata Black Prairie-Clover Dalea fructescens Purple Prairie-Clover Dalea purpurea Purple Coneflower Echinacea angustifolia/purpurea Engelmann's Daisy Engelmannia peristenia Texas Sage Leucophyllum frutescens Texas lantana Lantana urticoides Agarita Mahonia trifoliolata Aromatic Sumac Rhus aromatica Mealy Blue Sage Salvia farinacea Autumn sage Salvia gregii Aromatic Aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Zexmenia Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispida Buffalo Grass Buchloe dactyloides

15 Medium Water Use Plants Common Name Genus Species Big bluestem Andropogon gerardii Sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon Gregg's mistflower Conoclinium greggii Lindheimer's Gaura Gaura lindheimeri Penstemon Penstemon tenuis Lindheimer's Muhly Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Indian grass Sorgastrum nutans Giant coneflower Rudbeckia maxima

16 High Water Use Plants Common Name Genus Species Bushy bluestem Andropogon glomeratus Eastern woodland sedge Carex blanda Blue Mist Flower Conoclinium coelestinum Wax myrtle Myrica cerifera var. nana Pink Muhly Muhlenbergia capillaris St. Augustine Stenotaphrum secundatum

17 Volunteers Needed Maintenance of BRIT site research plots MAINTENANCE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE MAINTENANCE IS DATA!

18 Plot Maintenance Weeding Around plants in mulch Anything in the grass that is not the grass that was planted Trimming/Pruning Weedeat grass Prune plants Remove dead plant matter Fill out data sheet for each plot

19 Maintenance Log for BRIT Research Plots Please submit one maintenance log per plot, immediately after each maintenance event. 1. Please enter your name below. 2. Site: 3. Date of maintenance event: 4. Please enter the plot name below. 5. Did any of the following maintenance activities occur in the plot today? Yes No Weeds pulled? Trimming or pruning? 6. Were any of the following types of maintenance equipment used in the plot today? Check all that apply. Manual equipment Gas powered equipment LPG powered equipment Electric equipment

20 7. If any synthetic or organic herbicides were used, please list the common name and active ingredient(s) below. For example, if a vinegar spray was used, list the brand name and acetic acid as the active ingredient. Please leave this question blank if no herbicides were used. Name Active ingredient(s) 8. Please summarize today's maintenance activities. Include any notes or updates about the plot's condition today (wildlife observed, overall vegetation health, any damages due to disturbance, etc.). 9. Can you estimate the time spent on maintenance in this plot today? PLEASE ROUND TO THE NEAREST MINUTE. Number of people contributing Total number of minutes (round to nearest minute)

21 10. Can you rate your personal preference for the look of this plot? Strongly dislike Strongly like 11. Can you rate the plot on the following characteristics? Very low - Very high Attractiveness Care Neatness Naturalness Amount of maintenance 12. How satisfied do you think a typical client with a commercial site would be with the look of this plot? Very dissatisfied Very satisfied 13. Do you have any other comments about the plot you'd like to share?

22 Questions THANK YOU!