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===Biological principles===
===Biological principles===
Running within, and dependent on, the natural economy there is the production and consumption of goods and services in the “human economy” which has now significantly altered, in a detrimental way, natural biogeochemical cycles (notable here are the [[water cycle]], [[carbon cycle]] and [[nitrogen cycle]] so sustainable practices maximise support for ecosystem services.<ref name="MEA" />
Running within, and dependent on, the natural economy there is the production and consumption of goods and services in the “human economy” which has now significantly altered, in a detrimental way, natural biogeochemical cycles (notable here are the [[water cycle]], [[carbon cycle]] and [[nitrogen cycle]] so sustainable practices maximise support for ecosystem services.<ref name="MEA" />

===Operational principles===
Enhancement of ecosystem services is encouraged throughout the lifecycle of any site by providing clear design, construction, (operations), and management criteria.<ref name="SS" /> To be sustainable over the long term requires environmental, social and economic demands are integrated to provide intergenerational equity by providing regenerative sustainable systems. Operational guidelines will link to and supplement existing guidelines for the built environment (supplementing existing green building and landscape guidelines),<ref name="SS" /> the wider environment, and they will include metrics (benchmarks, audits, criteria, indexes etc.) that give some [[sustainability measurement|measure of sustainability]] (a rating system) by clarifying what is sustainable or not sustainable or, more likely, what is more or less sustainable.

Impacts of a site can be assessed and measured over any spatio-temporal scale. Impacts of a site may be ''direct'' by having direct measurable impacts on biodiversity and ecology at the site itself, or ''indirect'' when impacts occur away from the site.

===Site principles===
[[File:Compost heap, Kew Gardens - geograph.org.uk - 215033.jpg|thumb|[[Compost]] heap at the [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]]]]
The following are some site principles for sustainable gardening:<ref name="SS" />
* do no harm
* use the [[Precautionary principle]]
* design with nature and culture
* use a decision-making hierarchy of preservation, conservation, and regeneration
* provide regenerative systems as [[intergenerational equity]]
* support a living process
* use a system thinking approach
* use a collaborative and ethical approach
* maintain integrity in leadership and research
* foster environmental stewardship


==Measuring site sustainability==
==Measuring site sustainability==

Revision as of 15:17, 25 October 2019

See also: Sustainable landscaping
A water collector at the EVA Lanxmeer housing development in Culemborg, Netherlands

Sustainable gardening includes the more specific sustainable landscapes, sustainable landscape design, sustainable landscaping, sustainable landscape architecture, resulting in sustainable sites. It comprises a disparate group of horticultural interests that can share the aims and objectives associated with the international post-1980s sustainable development and sustainability programs developed to address the fact that humans are now using natural biophysical resources faster than they can be replenished by nature.[1]

Included within this are those home gardeners, and members of the landscape and nursery industries, and municipal authorities, that integrate environmental, social, and economic factors to create a more sustainable future.

Sustainable Sites Initiative

The Sustainable Sites Initiative is a commercial accreditation body in USA which certifies landscapers and sites using guidelines and performance benchmarks for sustainable land design, for which their registered trademark can be earned after a fee.[2] It was founded in 2005. Using the United Nations Brundtland Report’s definition of sustainable development as a model, it defines sustainability as:[2]

...design, construction, operations and maintenance practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

by attempting to:

...protect, restore and enhance the ability of landscapes to provide ecosystem services that benefit humans and other organisms.

The Sustainable Sites Initiative[2] is producing recommendations for the American Landscape Industry. The standards and guidelines finally adopted will lead to a uniform national standard, which does not currently exist. Sustainable Sites is currently in the pilot program stage, and will formally introduce its first rating system by 2013.[3] The U.S. Green Building Council supports the project and plans to adopt the Sustainable Sites metrics into future versions of its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System. Sites are rated according to their impact on ecosystem services:[2] The following ecosystem services have been identified by the study group:

  • Local climate regulation
  • Air and water cleansing
  • Water supply and regulation
  • Erosion and sediment control
  • Hazard mitigation
  • Pollination
  • Habitat functions
  • Waste decomposition and treatment
  • Global climate regulation
  • Human health and well-being benefits
  • Food and renewable non-food products
  • Cultural benefits

Principles and concepts

Biological principles

Running within, and dependent on, the natural economy there is the production and consumption of goods and services in the “human economy” which has now significantly altered, in a detrimental way, natural biogeochemical cycles (notable here are the water cycle, carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle so sustainable practices maximise support for ecosystem services.[1]

Measuring site sustainability

One major feature distinguishing the approach of sustainable gardens, landscapes and sites from other similar enterprises is the quantification of site sustainability by establishing performance benchmarks. Because sustainability is such a broad and inclusive concept the environmental impacts of sites can be categorised in numerous ways depending on the purpose for which the figures are required. The process can include minimising negative environmental impacts and maximising positive impacts. As currently applied the environment is usually given priority over social and economic factors which may be added in or regarded as an inevitable and integral part of the management process. A home gardener is likely to use simpler metrics than a professional landscaper or ecologist.

Three methodologies for measuring site sustainability include BREEAM developed by the BRE organisation in the UK, Leed, developed in America and the Oxford 360 degree sustainability Index used in Oxford Park and developed by the Oxford Sustainable Group in Scandinavia.[citation needed]

Constraints

Any kind of auditing or benchmarking will depend on the selection and weighting of the metrics chosen; the depth and detail of analysis required; the purpose for which the figures are required; and the environmental circumstances of the particular site.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005). Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Biodiversity Synthesis. Summary for Decision-makers. pp.1-16. Washington, DC.: World Resources Institute. The full range of reports is available on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment web site. [1]. Retrieved on: 2009-03-16
  2. ^ a b c d [2] American Society of Landscape Architects. Guidelines and performance benchmarks. The sustainable sites initiative. Retrieved on: 2009-03-16.
  3. ^ "Sustainable Sites FAQs". Retrieved 7 April 2011.
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