Ecological Consideration

of Site Analysis:
Vegetation
Wildlife and Wetland
Vegetation
Vegetation

 What is vegetation?
 Plants,
trees, and flowers can be referred to
as vegetation.
 Vegetation is a general term for the plant life
of a region; it refers to the ground cover
provided by plants.
 Why should we consider Vegetation in Site Analysis?
 Vegetation is one of the greatest assets of the site for a natural, energy-efficient design. Not only is
the existing vegetation useful, but it can be added to, transplanted, or eliminated. Even though it
might take time to mature, the landscape is fairly flexible. Selective planting, in terms of growth
rates, can reduce the time element.
 Vegetation reduces the temperature while providing protection against glare, dust, and erosion. Care
should be taken to avoid placement where roots can damage foundation and clog drainage lines, where
leaves can block gutters and trap moisture, and where desirable air movement can be drastically
reduced or directed the wrong way.
 Can be use as shading. Shading is one of the most important advantages of landscaping. The existing
landscape can be drawn directly on the sun path graphs. This will indicate the shading pattern at that
location, and the need to add landscaping to maximize shading. Generally, keeping the sun off the
building for the warmest months of the year will be most beneficial. The need for the sun during the
colder months for the additional heat should also be considered. 

Figure no.1
 Vegetation as buffer. Vegetation in buffers can affect local and regional air quality in three main
ways: temperature reduction, removal of air pollutants, and energy effects on buildings.
 Temperature reduction: Lower air temperature due to trees and other vegetation can reduce
emissions of many temperature-dependent pollutants.
 Removal of air pollutants: Plants remove air pollutants by uptake via leaves and by intercepting
airborne particles. Pollutants captured by vegetation are often transferred to the soil. While soils
and plants will render some pollutants nontoxic, the final destination, form, and impact of the
pollutants should be considered.
 Energy effects on buildings. Trees reduce building energy use, lowering pollutant emissions from
power plants.

Figure no.2 Figure no. 3

 Vegetation for breaking wind. The shelter zone just behind the windbreak gives the greatest
protection. The lowest wind speed will occur at a distance of about three or four times the height
of the screen, depending on its density (see Figure 4). The more penetrable the screen is, the
shorter the distance to the point of maximum wind velocity and the lower the protection. Care
must be taken so winter windbreaks do not prevent the breezes desired in the summer, spring,
and fall. Protection offered by windbreaks composed of plants and that offered by solid screens,
fences, walls, or other buildings.

Figure no.4
 Vegetation as Noise Barrier. Plants can be used functionally to solve some of the environmental
problems the homeowner may have on the property. A thick row off high shrubs bordering a road
can reduce noise and prevent litter from entering a yard, or perhaps screen an unpleasant view such
as shopping centre or row of buildings.

Figure no. 5 Figure no. 6

 Vegetation used as aesthetics.

Figure no.7

The role of vegetation in creating architecture should not be underestimated. You can use
cover, shrubs, and trees to create floors, ceilings and walls of outdoor rooms to add unity,
balance, and rhythm to a spatial composition and to frame and enhance existing
architecture.
 The existing vegetation patterns and types can be obtained from aerial photographs and
maps.  Detailed plant identification and location of specimen plants may require field study
and measurement.  The significance of vegetative information relates to a range of
development issues.  The visual character and spatial definition of a site is impacted by the
amount and category of vegetation – from ground cover to canopy, from new growth to mature
stands of trees, etc.  Vegetation can modify the climate by providing shade, protecting
potential development from winter winds or by chaneling summer breezes. Plant coverage
enhances soil stability, provides an indication of soil conditions (e.g., wetlands) and relates to
potential wildlife habitats.  Therefore, a site with extensive mature vegetation would be less
suitable for high-density development from the standpoint of environmental character.  The
presence of trees and other plants may on the other hand make a site attractive for certain
kinds of housing and/or for recreation facilities.

Note:
 The preservation of vegetation should be planned before any site disturbance begins. Planners
should note the locations where vegetation should be preserved and consider this when
determining the location of roads, buildings, or other structures. Highly visible barricades and
signs should be erected to protect vegetation boundaries selected for preservation. Preventing
damage is less costly than correcting it.
Wildlife and Wetland
 What is wildlife?
Wildlife traditionally refers to undomesticated animal
species, but has come to include all organisms that
grow or live wild in an area without being introduced
by humans .
Wildlife can be found in
all ecosystems. Deserts, forests, rain
forests, plains, grasslands and other areas including the
most developed urban areas, all have distinct forms of
wildlife.
 In a more broader definition
The term "wildlife" may refer to all living things that are outside the direct control of man,
therefore including all non-cultivated plants and non-domesticated animals. In common usage,
however, "wildlife" most often refers to vertebrate animal species, particularly birds and
mammals. Fish are usually not included under the wildlife category.
Wildlife "habitat" is defined as a type of area having environmental conditions that meet the
biological needs of one or more individuals of a species.
A key to understanding the relationship between wildlife and its habitat is the concept of
the ecosystem. An "ecosystem" is the combination of all the living organisms within an area
along with the non-living elements (soil, water, energy, etc.) necessary for the organism to live.
 Wildlife is dependent upon adequate environmental resources (habitat) for existence. loss of, or
changes in habitat, are the prime causes of wildlife decline. Site planners, by making land use and
design decisions about the outdoor environment, necessarily impact wildlife habitat. The decisions
they make can destroy, modify, or enhance the extent and quality of wildlife habitat. Whether
intentional or not, planners are practicing wildlife management, often with little or no knowledge of
the full effect their actions may have upon the dynamics of wildlife populations. In many landscape
planning projects, wildlife is neglected or given only superficial attention
 Preserving and enhancing wildlife habitat is a goal most site planners would adopt. Site planners are
responsible for determining in large part how, where, and to what extent, existing wildlife habitat
will be altered or enhanced In the course of developing new areas or in redeveloping existing sites.
 What is Wetland?
An area of swampy or marshy land, esp.
considered as part of an ecological system.
A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that
is inundated(overwhelm)  by water, either
permanently or seasonally. The primary factor
that distinguishes wetlands from other land
forms or water bodies is the
characteristic vegetation of aquatic plant,
adapted to the unique hydric soil.
 Examples of wetland are swamp (figure no. 8), peat bogs (figure no.9, and marches (figure no,10).

Figure no.8 Figure no.9

Figure no.10
 Wetlands serve important water quality improvement functions within the landscape. They are
a major link between land and water.
 Functions of wetland:
 Filtering of nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen.
 Due to their unique position in the landscape, wetlands serve as natural receptacles for
storm water runoff and can absorb enough water to help control flooding.
 Wetlands also have the ability to soak up storm water runoff during storms and then slowly
release the water over extended periods of time.
 Stabilization of shorelines.
 Support of plants and animals.
 Wetlands provide habitat for thousands of species of aquatic and terrestrial plants and
animals.
The above functions should be taken into consideration when developing storm water
management strategies for lands undergoing land use changes. However, when considering
diverting flows to a wetland (either from storm water sources or non-storm water sources), it
is important to consider that they do have a limited capacity for handling increased flows or
additional pollutant loadings. In urban areas wetlands are dramatically altered by uncontrolled
runoff, either through natural drainage to those systems or direct discharge.
 Planning Consideration
 Well suited for use in areas designated to be set aside for the preservation of plant and animal life and
biodiversity.
 Can be used in areas where it is desirable to capture storm water runoff and allow ground water recharge.
 May be used to reduce flooding potential.
 Consider limited capacity for handling increased flows and pollutant loadings.
 Natural wetlands should not be used as a primary treatment measure to capture pollutants; consider pre-
treatment.
Figure no.11
Reference:
 Climate and Site Conditions: Vegetation/ Landscape http://
www.dnr.louisiana.gov/assets/TAD/education/ECEP/drafting/f/f.htm
 Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/vegetation
 Conservation Buffers https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/buffers/guidelines/6_aesthetics/3.html
 Vegetation in Landscape https://www.slideshare.net/sweetsaimaiqbal/vegetation-in-landscape
 https://www.in.gov/idem/stormwater/files/stormwater_manual_chap_04.pdf