Ecosystems and Biodiversity Ecosystem Services in the City. City of Burnaby Environmental Sustainability Strategy

Transcription

1 Ecosystems and Biodiversity Ecosystem Services in the City City of Burnaby Environmental Sustainability Strategy

2 Realms of concern / Realms of possibility In ecosystems, everything is connected to everything else. Life/ Biodiversity September 24,

3 Ecosystems Are Complicated 3

4 Ecological Goods and Services 4

5 Why Should We Care? How should we plan and manage for the future? We are intelligent lemmings, rushing headlong towards destruction, as a result of unsustainable societies and practices. Two Views? We control our destiny. We are not only intelligent, but we have the capacity to organize our society in an environmentally sustainable way.

6 Fish Existing Issues and Sensitivities Rare fish species (e.g. Fraser sturgeon) Important migratory route for salmon, eulachon Migratory Birds Waterfowl habitats Migratory bird habitat September 24,

7 Ecological (Green Infrastructure) Network September 24,

8 Network Components Larger and more natural areas form the hubs of the Network; sites are smaller but important natural areas; corridors connect hubs and sites. SITE Hub >10 ha Semi-natural or natural vegetation Site <10 ha Semi-natural Corridor Most natural route between hubs; September 24,

9 Upland Habitat Corridors Connection Example Upland corridor

10 Aquatic Habitat Corridors Connection Example Stream corridor

11 Daylighted watercourses and habitat greenways September 24,

12 Habitat complexing September 24,

13 Streamside revegetation September 24,

14 Remediation and Habitat Restoration Redevelopment has enhanced environmental sustainability in the False Creek area. Remediation of historically contaminated lands and aquatic habitats. Constructed habitat net gain in capacity and productivity of marine habitat. (2010 habitat was used by Pacific herring for spawning habitat) 14

15 Contractor Training Source Erosion Control September 24,

16 Sharing the resource after climate change More severe weather. Hotter, drier summers. More critical base flows in streams. More stresses on aquatic ecosystems. More demand for water? September 24,

17 BC Government Sea Level Rise Projections

18 Sea Level Rise (SLR) Planning Areas - potential planning responses

19 Shoreline Ecosystems and Restoration

20 Sustainable Community Design There is a strong relationship between regional and urban land use patterns and healthy ecosystems that support ecosystem functions! September 24,

21 Stormwater Strategy At UniverCity, Integrated Stormwater Management means Minimize effective impervious area, to reduce the rate of generated runoff Maximize ground absorption of rainfall (small events) to support base flow Use vegetation and soil to filter out pollutants (nutrients, hydrocarbons, metals) and to keep water cool Provide water storage where feasible September 24,

22 Constructed Wetlands (UniverCity at SFU)

23 On-street Stormwater Management September 24,

24 Infiltration Swale Runoff from ROW infiltrates through absorbent soil to Infiltration Trench Road Runoff only occurs when water level reach level of perforated overflow pipe. Only expected to occur during prolonged winter storms exceeding 5-yr return period. Roadway Runoff infiltrates through pervious pavers to Infiltration Trench Gravel/Sand Infiltration Trench retains runoff and allows it to exfiltrate into surrounding soil Self-Mitigating Road Cross Section - UniverCity Crescent September 24,

25 Absorbent Landscape 1. Crown Interception 2. Throughfall and Stemflow 3. Evapotranspiration 4. Soil Water Storage 5. Soil Infiltration 6. Surface Vegetation 7. Organics and Compost 8. Soil Life 9. Interflow 10. Deep Groundwater 11. Water Quality Improvement 12. Impermeable Surfaces and Surface Runoff Stormwater Variables of Absorbent Landscapes A schematic representation of the 12 stormwater variables of absorbent landscape. Keeping these variables in balance is the key to successful stormwater source control using absorbent landscape. September 24,

26 Watershed Pervious and Impervious Areas Using GIS, we are locating rooftops, driveways, roads, as well as trees and yards Single and twofamily neighbours need watershed management as they redevelop September 24,

27 Burnaby Watersheds Opportunity: use best practices to manage effective impervious area September 24, % impervious area 35% impervious area 59% impervious area

28 Pervious Paving Partial Infiltration Pervious Paving 1. Permeable Pavers (Min. 80mm thickness) 2. Aggregate Bedding Course - not sand (50mm depth) 3. Open Graded Base (depth varies by design application) 4. Open Graded Sub-base (depth varies by design application) 5. Subsoil - flat and scarified in infiltration designs 6. Geotextile on All Sides of Reservoir 7. Optional Reinforcing Grid for Heavy Loads 8. Geotextile Adhered to Drain at Opening 9. Flow Restrictor Assembly 10. Secondary Overflow Inlet at Catch Basin 11. Outlet Pipe to Storm Drain or Swale System. Locate Crown of Pipe Below Open Graded Base (no. 3) to Prevent Heaving During Freeze/Thaw Cycle 12. Trench Dams at All Utility Crossings September 24,

29 Reid Residence, Lantzville Rainfall flows through small aggregate in the cracks into drain rock and infiltrates into underlying soils September 24,

30 Infiltration Swales September 24,

31 Infiltration Swale System Partial infiltration swale with reservoir and subdrain 1. Weir Keyed into Swale Side Slope 2. Growing Medium (300mm Min.) 3. Sand 4. Existing Scarified Subsoil 5. Perforated Underdrain (150mm Dia. Min.) 6. Drain Rock Reservoir (300mm Min.) 7. Geotextile Along All Sides of Reservoir 8. Trench Dams at All Utility Crossing September 24,

32 Putting it all together September 24,

33 Key Strategies Learned: Integrate standards! Single-Family September 24,

34 Ecosystem Services of the Urban Forest Trees in City of Toronto are estimated to provide equivalent to $60M / year in ecosystem services.

35 Stormwater Savings / Yr for Citywide street tree collection in City of North Vancouver Total Rainfall Interception: 1.98 million litres Dollar value $66,362 / yr Enough to fill up 20 swimming pools (6 x 12 x 1.36 meter backyard pool) September 24,

36 Benefits of Street Trees Reduces Urban Heat Island Effect. Saves electricity. Saves natural gas. Removes Ozone, Nitrous Oxide, Particulate Matter and Sulfur Dioxide. Contributes to Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs). Energy and Air Quality Benefits

37 Benefits of Street Trees Increases property values Retail studies show that shoppers will stay longer and pay higher prices on commercial streets that have trees. Property Benefits

38 Management Costs of Street Trees Street tree maintenance costs include: Tree inspection Tree replacement Tree removal Pruning Watering Tree Well/Grate Maintenance Supervision City of North Vancouver Benefit:Cost 5:1 using Stratum Software (McPherson)

39 Water Conservation Strategy September 24,

40 Can we afford more water infrastructure? September 24,

41 Avoiding Waste Summer Peaks of Water Use September 24,

42 Landscape Water Conservation Garden uses account for up to 50% of water consumption. Reduce garden water use by 7 basic principles: Planning and Design Plant Selection Turf Soils Mulch Irrigation Maintenance Design Standards should include specifications for landscape, soils and irrigation to require good current practice. September 24,

43 Available Technology Reduce outdoor water use by 33%: September 24,

44 Rainwater Tank Capture System Possible at new homes on private land September 24,

45 Rainwater Tank Capture System Treatment matched to water source and water use fit for purpose? Integrate Car2go with rainwater tanks? September 24,

46 Adaptive Management - Together City Streets City Parks Campuses Private SF Private MF Private ICI BMP Targets, Choice and Sizing Provision of Land / Space Detail Design Design Approvals / Quality Control Construction Finance Operating Finance Monitoring The Burnaby Adaptive Management Committee provides on-going insight! September 24,

47 Adaptive Management: aspiring to continuous improvement in ecosystems as Burnaby redevelops!