CULTIVATE: Planting for Climate Change
May 31, 2008 – 5:56 pmA discussion chaired by Paul Thompson AILA, part of AILA Victoria’s ‘Cultivate’ series of talks. (This AILA forum Thursday 15 May 2008 at RMIT)
Registrants were invited to contribute beforehand by sending emails with questions, ideas, concerns and statements.
The evening began with an introduction from Paul Thompson.
This was followed by discussions using the emails to stimulate discussion between the 102 participants composed of landscape architects, students and allied professionals. The evening finished with broad spirited contributions from the floor.
It is suggested that you view the notes on the talk which have been uploaded to the AILA web site.
Please visit the site first (click here) and then return to view the emailed notes in the comments below.
The art of Landscape Architecture has influenced the culture significantly in the past 40 years. It is now time to work closer with science to create site responsive landscapes for people and nature.
This is the beginning of a continuing conversation.
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Also reference: Paul’s online article published in LAonline Autumn 2008.
The Australian Garden. Selecting plants for a botanic garden.
Click here for the link to the full magazine issue or here to download the pdf article.
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Please add to this on-going conversation - upload a comment
6 Responses to “CULTIVATE: Planting for Climate Change”
Matt Sykes Landscape Student
I think that how we deal with cultural preferences for exotic plants in orderly designs is really the toughest challenge.
I’ve tried to present indigenous plants in new, fresh ways, which are attractive to humans, flora and fauna.
I think it’s about getting people to live in environments and have lifestyles which are more responsive to the environment, plant choice, water management, and minimal earthworks, waste management are all important things to consider.”
By Matt Sykes on May 31, 2008
Elspeth Coker Research Officer Department of Primary Industries’ Weeds & Pests Initiative.
Concerned with:
• Role and responsibilities of landscape architects in terms of plant selection and awareness of weed issues.
• Climate change and the likelihood of providing excellent conditions for the introduction and spread of weeds.
By Elspeth Coker on May 31, 2008
David Cameron GbLA~Landscape Architects
Some ideas off the top of my head as follows:
• Plants used for carbon fixing
• Use of plants which do not require irrigation
• Plants tolerant of grey and recycled water
• Alternative soil media and mulch materials to maintain soil water levels
• Consideration of plants from arid and harsh climates ( ie Africa, Sth America )
• Planning for less frequent but more extreme rain and storm events.
• Use of groundcovers for erosion control.
• Do commercial nursery practices need to be reviewed?
– ie embodied energy in use of fertilisers & phosphates, irrigation
By David Cameron on May 31, 2008
Scott Watson Senior Landscape Architect (Landscape Management) Vic Roads
Should we be planting local?
Should we be looking at ‘assisted dispersal’?
If Melbourne’s climate is more likely to be like that of Ouyen in the future should we be bringing the flora (and fauna) of Ouyen to Melbourne?
Should there be something more sophisticated, like bringing flora from the nearest possible sites with similar soils and climate?
How do we go about answering these questions?
By Scott Watson on May 31, 2008
Lu Barro Landscape Architect CDA Design Group Pty Ltd
• Species Viability
Continued Local Government specification of local provenance.
Preservation vs conservation vs manipulation of constructed/natural habitats
• Space for Canopy trees/middle storey shrubs/understorey planting
Residential lot size
Hard surfaces vs garden beds
Line of site planting in public spaces vs density & range of planting
Infrastructure planting eg rail easements and nature strips
• Maintenance/production of climate change gases
Dense planting for instant effect vs larger pot size & coverage at maturity – production, transport & installation
• Longevity & cultural requirements of species – pruning, feeding & pest control
Organic vs inorganic mulches, Mowing
By Lu Barro on May 31, 2008
1. For natural areas, revegetation, low maintenance broad area planting: Start local.
Now is a great opportunity to study local natural areas to see which of the flora are doing best in ongoing dry conditions. Where a niche is to be filled for which no local plant is performing acceptably, choose something from the nearest (abutting) drier plant community.
2. For urban and residential gardens, we are just beginning to introduce much of the local flora into more formal designs where single species plantings may predominate.There is so much to explore in the local flora but a problem with supply, as the drought causes some growers to fail, and limited industry resource are directed to producing species in most demand.
By Des Gunn on Jun 13, 2008