Research
Research Questions: Landscape Architecture Strategies That Address Biodiversity Loss
What landscape architecture- and nature-based solutions effectively address both the biodiversity and climate crises? What solutions at the national, regional, urban, neighborhood, and site scales work? What are planning and design project examples at various scales that have demonstrated proven biodiversity and ecological gains while also sequestering carbon, improving water quality and management, and reducing climate risks?
Scope of research analysis:
- Biodiverse blue / green infrastructure and stormwater management
- Ecosystem conservation, restoration
- Growth boundaries, green belts
- Native plant communities
- Diverse, resilient tree canopies
- Biodiversity strategies for carbon sequestration
- Pollinator habitat
- Migration corridors
- Habitat connections and corridors, including wildlife bridges / crossings
- River, stream, and wetland restoration
- Transportation rights of way
- Living shorelines
Implemented project types that can be evaluated:
- Regional, urban, community, and site designs
- Conservation areas
- Recreational areas
- Parks and plazas
- Transportation systems
- Educational and corporate campuses
- Mixed-used and commercial developments
- Residential communities
- Botanical gardens and arboreta
- Riparian corridors
- Remnant parcels
- Individual homes
For project types: pre- or comparable baseline and post-project data should be included for comparison where available. According to the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF), optimal timing for an initial performance assessment is 1-5 years after construction is complete, depending on project type.