Optimising ecosystem services and recreational values of low maintenance SUDS in urban environments

Transcription

1 1 Optimising ecosystem services and recreational values of low maintenance SUDS in urban environments Lærke Kit Sangill Landscape Architect, VandcenterSyd Andy G. Howe PhD, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Dept. of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management Mona Chor Bjørn PhD, UCPH, Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences

2 22/09/17 This study explores these potentials in roadside curb extensions by investigating plant choice, design and biological functions of curb extensions at Langelinie, Odense, Denmark. 2

3 22/09/17 3 Project period: March 2017 September 2018 Grant: VUDP, DK kr. Partners

4 4

5 5 Why this study is relevant: BioCurbs are and will be a widely used SUDS element in climate adaptation. The BioCurb with robust planting needs less maintenance and performs better. Residents will appreciate and feel more confident about BioCurbs due to well-functioning and appealing plantings. BioCurbs able to support urban biodiversity can be incorporated in municipality action plans and function as tools for creating more resilient cities.

6 Case Langelinie, Odense 22/09/17 6

7 22/09/17 7 Data collection at Langelinie BioCurb vegetation - status Facts: 1.4 km 33 Bio-curb extensions > 576 m2 2 plant mixes Diversity and ecological functions of pollinating insects and other invertebrates using curb extensions Test germination and plant growth of perennial forbs under the harsh conditions of drought and periodic flooding in the curb extension elements

8 BioCurb 22/09/17 8

9 BioCurb 22/09/17 9

10 Low maintenance biocurbs 22/09/17 10

11 22/09/17 11 Optimising ecosystem services (ES): biocurbs as an opportunity! REGULATION & MAINTENANCE ES Habitat and partial habitat Floral resources for insects (pollen/nectar), birds (seeds/fruits) Basking, bathing (birds), mating, hunting, overwintering for insects & spiders Pollination: plant reproduction -> self-sustaining Connectivity: urban SUDS as green infrastructure, enhancing habitat quality in otherwise space-limited (sub)urban landscape CULTURAL ES Human - nature interactions Aesthetic appreciation Recreation Residents

12 22/09/17 12 Recreational/aesthetic values of biocurbs It is amazing; when it rains the flower beds are completely flooded, but the plants seem to survive We come here to look at the flowers We pass by to see if something new is flowering More flowers in the spring would be nice Sometimes I pick a bouquet of flowers ; This is my flowerbed Why have they planted all of these weeds? Please tell the responsible planners that they do not know anything about planting design - it looks terrible This is a very wealthy neighborhood; we preferred the beech hedges The smell of sewage is horrible I suspect that the flooding of my basement is related to the new sewerage system I would have preferred just one mix of plants If they wanted to support biodiversity they should not have planted anything - just wait for natural succession to proceed

13 22/09/17 13 Diversity (and function) of pollinating insects using biosuds A B

14 14 Plant growth in biocurbs Experiments: Seed mix field trial Infiltration soil trial Transplantation trial Lotus corniculatus + Campanula rotundifolia Centaurea jacea + Filipendula vulgaris

15 15 Effect of soil type on aboveground biomass Lotus corniculatus Ellenberg indicator value Light: 7 Moisture: 4 Reaction: 7 N: 3 Salinity: 0 Lythrum salicaria Ellenberg indicator value Light: 7 Moisture: 8 Reaction: 6 N: 5 Salinity: 0

16 22/09/17 16 Take home messages Infiltration of rain/storm water ++ -> biosuds biosuds = an opportunity for enhancing conventional SUDS > Regulating/supporting ES of biosuds Pollination: self-sustaining vegetation + low maintenance New opportunities for quality of habitat Plant choice: native versus exotics > Cultural ES through biosuds Recreational value Communication (re)introduction of natives Invasive plant species

17 22/09/17 17 Thank you for having us at NORDIWA 2017! Vanessa cardui: migratory butterfly visiting biosuds on Langelinie, Denmark Thank you VUDP - DANVA for financing this project