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"Planting design."
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Comparing the transpirational and shading effects of two contrasting urban tree species
Urban trees are getting increasing attention as a tool to mitigate urban heat island effects. A more functional and quantitative view of transpirational and shading effect, particularly the magnitude of both surface and air cooling potential can further strengthen motivations for urban tree planting. We investigated the transpirational and the surface cooling potential of two contrasting tree species in Munich, Germany: ring porous Robinia pseudoacacia L. and diffuse porous Tilia cordata Mill. Throughout the summer 2016 we monitored meteorological and edaphic variables and tree sap-flow along with the air temperature within and outside tree shade at different heights. With 30% higher leaf area index (LAI), double sap-flux density and sapwood area, T. cordata trees showed three times higher transpiration compared to the R. pseudoacacia. Consequently, T. cordata trees showed higher within canopy air cooling effect. Surface cooling (∆Tshade) were higher under the denser canopies of T. cordata compared to R. pseudoacacia for asphalt surfaces but ∆Tshade for grass surfaces were not significantly different under the canopies of two species. Linear regression indicated a decrease in grass surface temperature of 3 °C with every unit of LAI but for asphalt, the reduction in surface temperature was about 6 °C. Additionally, higher water using efficiencies of R. pseudoacacia coupled with higher soil moisture and radiation probably increased the grass evapotranspiration and subsequently showed positive relationship with the near ground air cooling. Therefore, species with higher canopy density might be preferred over asphalt surfaces but low water using species with lower canopy density could be chosen over grass surfaces.
Journal Article
Transforming Contemporary Public Urban Spaces with Planting Design. Shifting from Monocultural Planting Blocks to Naturalistic Plant Communities
The field of landscape architecture is currently undergoing a notable transformation in planting design styles, driven by the imperative to create resilient and sustainable landscapes capable of adapting to climate change. New approaches to planting design have become a fundamental element in the regeneration of urban spaces, as evidenced by prominent projects such as the High Line in New York and the Lurie Garden in Chicago. To investigate this phenomenon, this paper conducts a review of the literature, aiming to analyse the historical evolution of planting styles. Furthermore, this paper presents a series of compelling case studies that exemplify the successful regeneration of public urban spaces through the implementation of carefully designed plant communities. These case studies illustrate noteworthy projects carried out in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Russia, highlighting the positive impact of designed plant communities on urban landscapes. Drawing upon the findings from the literature review and case studies, this paper concludes by discussing future directions and current issues in planting design.
Journal Article
Birds and bats reduce insect biomass and leaf damage in tropical forest restoration sites
Both birds and bats are important insect predators in tropical systems. However, the relative influence of birds and bats on insect populations and their indirect effects on leaf damage have not previously been investigated in tropical forest restoration sites. Leaf damage by herbivorous insects can negatively affect the growth and survival of tropical plants and thus can influence the success of tropical forest restoration efforts. We used an exclosure experiment to examine the top-down effects of birds and bats on insects and leaf damage in a large-scale forest restoration experiment. Given the potential influence of tree planting design on bird and bat abundances, we also investigated planting design effects on bird and bat insectivory and leaf damage. The experiment included two planting treatment plots: islands, where trees were planted in patches, and plantations, where trees were planted in rows to create continuous cover. In both types of plots, insect biomass was highest on tree branches where both birds and bats were excluded from foraging and lowest on branches without exclosures where both birds and bats were present. In the island plots, birds and bats had approximately equal impacts on insect populations, while in plantations bats appeared to have a slightly stronger effect on insects than did birds. In plantations, the levels of leaf damage were higher on branches where birds and bats were excluded than on branches where both had access. In island plots, no significant differences in leaf damage were found between exclosure treatments although potential patterns were in the same direction as in the plantations. Our results suggest that both birds and bats play important roles as top predators in restoration systems by reducing herbivorous insects and their damage to planted trees. Tropical restoration projects should include efforts to attract and provide suitable habitat for birds and bats, given their demonstrated ecological importance.
Journal Article
Research on the Curriculum Reform of \Plant Planting Design\ Based on SketchUP
With the rapid development of society, garden has become an indispensable leisure place in the city. Therefore, landscape design has become a hot professional. \"Plant planting design\" is the core professional course of landscape architecture specialty, which every landscape designer must learn. Plant planting design is an indispensable link in the process of landscape design, which is an important content in the process of landscape professional training. However, most engineering schools lack of teaching experience in plant planting design, which will lead to students not fully understand plant planting design. The SketchUP technology, also known as computer-aided technology, refers to the use of computers and graphics equipment to help designers perform design work, which can greatly improve people's work efficiency and enable people to have concrete cognition of abstract things. Therefore, we must reform the course of plant planting design, which will improve students' interest and enthusiasm, and actively use the SketchUP and other related design tools in the teaching process. First of all, this paper analyzes the problems of curriculum teaching. Then, some suggestions are put forward.
Journal Article
Extraction of Plant Ecological Indicators and Use of Environmental Simulation Methods Based on 3D Plant Growth Models: A Case Study of Wuhan’s Daijia Lake Park
The acquisition of plant ecological indicators, such as leaf area index and leaf area density values, typically relies on labor-intensive field sampling and measurements, which are often time-consuming and hinder large-scale application. As different plant ecological indicators are closely related to plants’ geometric characteristics, the development of dynamic correlation and prediction methods for relevant indicators has become an important research topic. However, existing 3D plant models are mainly used for visualization purposes, which cannot accurately reflect the plant’s growth process or geometric characteristics. This study presents a workflow for parametric 3D plant modeling and ecological indicator analysis, integrating dynamic plant modeling, indicator calculation, and microclimate simulation. With the established plant model, a method for calculating and analyzing ecological indicators, including the leaf area index, leaf area density, aboveground biomass, and aboveground carbon storage, was then proposed. A method for exporting the model-generated data into ENVI-met v.5.0 to simulate the microclimate environment was also established. Then, by taking Daijia Lake Park as an example, this study utilized site planting construction drawings and field survey data to perform parametric modeling of 21,685 on-site trees from 65 species at three different growth stages using Blender v.4.0 and The Grove plugin v.10. The generated plant model’s accuracy was then verified using the 3D IoU ratio between the models and on-site scanned point cloud data. Plant ecological indicators at various stages were then extracted and exported to ENVI-met for microclimate analysis. The workflow integrates the simulation of plant growth dynamics and their interactions with environmental factors. It can also be used for scenario-based predictions in planting design and serves as a basis for urban green space monitoring and management.
Journal Article
Influence of planting designs on winter thermal comfort in an urban park
Various planting designs behave in different ways on microclimate and thermal comfort due to mainly distinct features of vegetation type and ratio. The papers simulated the microclimate behavior and thermal comfort of different planting design scenarios of an urban park using ENVI-met model. We measured temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity during the coldest period of 2016. Seven scenarios of planting design with different types and ratios of vegetation were simulated. In scenario of evergreen trees, humidity was relatively high while temperature and wind velocity were decreased. Simulated grass covered park and deciduous trees showed higher temperature and wind velocity. Scenario of grasses and the scenarios with high ratio of deciduous trees in comparison with other scenarios indicated lower wind speeds. The findings can be seen as a possibility of improvement of winter thermal comfort, considering a proper planting design as an important step in order to achieve Citizen Satisfaction.
Journal Article
Effects of Volume Ratio, Layout and Leave Size of Indoor Plants on Workers’ Attention Recovery in Factory Staff Break Area
A more efficient attention recovery of workers during their break time is essential for achieving higher productivity and wellness. In recent years, the biophilic design that introduces indoor plants has become one of the solutions to these problems. This study aims to determine the impact factors and corresponding levels related to indoor planting design concerning workers’ attention recovery. Firstly, the volume ratio, layout, and leaf size of indoor plants and the corresponding levels were put forward by a focus group study with ten participants. Secondly, the orthogonal experiment method established nine virtual recovery scenarios based on characteristics extraction of staff break areas in the factory. Thirdly, eighteen participants were guided to feel fatigued by experiencing the sustained attention to response test to measure the baseline attention level of participants. Then, participants rested in the virtual scenarios. Lastly, the attention test was conducted again to observe participants’ attention recovery degree. The difference values of participants’ sensitivity, reaction times, and the number of correct responses between the two detection targets were applied to evaluate the attention recovery. Results showed that the volume ratio of indoor plants had the most significant effect on workers’ attention recovery; 3% by volume ratio, mixed floor and wall plants and floor planting with large leaves were demonstrated as the optimal indoor planting design for attention recovery.
Journal Article