Life lines Andrea Reid
How can the fragmented landscape of a city be healed using bio-corridors that connect people and habitats through enhanced and restored ecosystem services?
01 Introduction
“Blood runs through my veins Like a river, wild and free Natural it seems But maybe only to me�
-Greg Allman, 2003 Like a river and the blood that flows through our veins, our ecosystems need to connect and flow together to form a network that interacts and integrates into our growing urban metropolis. When an ecosystem becomes fragmented and disconnected it becomes stagnant. Within the next forty years, two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in expanding urban centres (Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division, 2008); if the current disconnect with nature continues the social, cultural, physical and mental health of our communities will rapidly decline.
You will probably more than once have seen her fluttering about the bushes, in a deserted corner of your garden, without realising that you were carelessly watching the venerable ancestor to whom we probably owe most of our flowers and fruits (for it is actually estimated that more than a hundred thousand varieties of plants would disappear if the bees did not visit them), and possibly even our civilisation, for in these mysteries all things intertwine. - Maurice Maeterlinck, 1862-1949
02 Issue
“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
-Aldo Leopold, 1966
Analysis of the Urban food web - Andrea Reid
Current ecological analysis of patches in the Auckland region with possible eco-corridor links -Andrea Reid
The patchy, fragmented nature of ecological realms in the urban Auckland region is creating a disconnect between people and the ecological world. This fragmentation and disconnect is resulting in the loss of key major habitats for our local wildlife and community connection with the environment. Pressure on limited land for a growing population is challenging the ability to sustain, grow and extend the currently fragmented green mantle. The integration of native biodiversity needs to be woven in to the current urban fabric to create a thriving ecological network that connects our native pollinators and creates a stronger, healthier community identity. Conserving and protecting the natural environment promotes community awareness of values inherent within the environment and this kaitiakitanga and love of the land can impact on and improve the health of a community. The demand on the world’s natural resources is encouraging the move towards localised food sources reducing food miles, supporting the local economy, preserving green-space and creating community bonds and connections. Creating local food sources is often more difficult in an urban environment as there is pressure on limited land, but the recent flurry of community gardening is growing, connecting communities with each other and their major food source. Natural pollination in these community gardens is being detrimented by the current fragmentation of the Auckland green network. The increase in impervious surfaces, which is inherent in a continually developing city, has had a strong impact on ecological systems, reducing connections and biodiversity. Fragmented habitats are resulting in disconnected habitats for many native species, including our prime pollinators. Bees are dying around the world at an exponential rate, their numbers depleting by half since the end of World War Two. The biggest causes are the increasing use of pesticides containing neurotoxins, vast monocultures with no cover crops, parasites and diseases such as Varroa destructor and our urbanised, almost flowerless landscapes (Spivak, 2013). One of the most profuse ecosystems in Auckland is the ‘weed ecosystem’. Prolific predominantly in under-utilized spaces such as berms, boundary lines, parks, public and private housing estates and industrial sites. Our kaitiakitanga needs to be protected as taonga, a gift or treasure, for current and future generations. “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends to do otherwise.” -Aldo Leopold, 1966
03 Context “In the end, our society will be defined not only by what we create, but what we refuse to destroy.� -John Sawhill, 1986
Photographic analysis of current berm ecosystems, Savoy Road, Glen Eden, Auckland -Andrea Reid
The Auckland region has the potential to become a world-leading urban ecological network. By developing methods for quantifying habitat connectivity at multiple scales and assigning conservation priority to habitat patches based on their patterns and contribution to connectivity, the ecological Auckland network can be strengthened with the implementation of bio-corridors and ecosystem services. Connectivity of landscapes is highly scale dependent, so the Auckland region will be analysed at a multitude of scales, starting with the overall spatial distribution of habitats across the Auckland region, then refining to more localised areas to show examples of implementation. The scale at which different organisms interact with landscape pattern (Gardner, 1989) (Merriam, 1984) (Noss, 1991) will also influence this analysis. In fragmented landscapes, where patches of highquality habitat are punctuated by stretches of poor habitats, a species with short-range dispersal such as the native kereru will struggle. Each vegetation patch will be mapped out and sensitive analysis will be made to create biocorridors that use minimal distance to link existing vegetation, to improve habitat connection throughout the region. A range of different ecological installations and ecosystem services will be researched, analysed, tested and refined to create strong and resilient bio-corridors that integrate with the existing urban fabric. An example of this may be to look at the current ecosystems connecting our larger vegetation patches, namely the berms that run along the roads. The current berm ecosystem mainly consists of invasive weed species. By working with the Auckland Council and Auckland Transport, these spaces could be utilised to plant low growing flowering natives, turning the existing streetscapes into bio-corridors. A range of organisations, groups and consultancies will be key contributors to the success of this project, including, but not limited to, the Auckland City Council, the parliamentary Commission for the Environment, Department of Conservation (DOC), Landcare Research, NZ Landcare Trust, local Iwi, local community garden and environmental groups, NIWA and local environmental trusts. Relevant theoreticians and practitioners I have encountered in this field so far include Aldo Leopald for his analysis into the importance of environmental connections, Meurk and Hall for their theory on patch connectivity, James Corner and his integration of green spaces, such as the High Line, into existing urban environments, R. T. T. Forman and M. Godron for their Patch Corridor Matrix concept, Gardner, Merriam and Noss for their research into mathmatical connectivity models and Maria Spivak for her analysis into bee populations and their current decline.
04 Methodology
Methodology
Reflection/Refinement
The methodology for this assignment will consist primarily of the constantly circulating themes of analysis/testing, research, reflection/refinement and proposition.
Ongoing reflection and refinement of ideas will be made throughout the project, making sure that all analysis and research reflects the research question and that the aims and objectives are being upheld. This reflection on what has been learnt will compare and contrast existing knowledge, practise, thoughts and preconceptions. Discussion of key concepts and ideas will be made with a range of people to gain thorough feedback and reflection, including, supervisors, lecturers, members of council and other local bodies, local community members, local Iwi and landscape architecture firm representatives.
Analysis/testing A variety of analysis tools and techniques will be used throughout the process, including sketching/drawing, mapping, data collection, graph theory and Geographic Information System modelling (GIS). The sketching of site related context and issues will help inform the direction of the assignment, specifically the creative components of the design. Mapping and ecological analysis of the Auckland region’s current, fragmented, ecological landscape at multiple scales will be crucial in this assignment. This mapping will lead to the analysis of priority conservation areas for the region and will help find the best positions to introduce bio-corridors based on their contribution to connectivity. Data collection from the site and statistics analysis of the region will be used to develop an understanding of the best places to implement bio-corridors. Analysis of the current natural biogeochemical cycles and how they have adapted in the urban environment will be made and ecological land testing of chosen micro-scale site. Graph theory uses mathematical structures to model pairwise relations between objects, such as patches of vegetation, to create efficient settings for eco-corridors. GIS modelling will be used to collect data on the environmental layers of the existing landscape including hydrology, aspect, slope, soil type, land use, volcanic areas and existing vegetation.
Research The accumulation of literature in related theory and practice will be crucial for this assignment. Relevant council, government, statistical, trust and local body documentation regarding the rules and regulations of the Auckland region. Case studies will look at similar themes, theories and preservation techniques analysed within this assignment.
Proposition A range of propositions will be made throughout the project to overview the current and predicted situation, aims, issues and objectives so far. The presentation of this design strategy will be made using visual, verbal and written presentation techniques and show the refinement and resolution of ideas.
Research
Reflection/ Refinement
Analysis/ Testing
Proposition
March
Research and Analysis Proposal due Friday 28 March
Interim submission One Due Monday 9 June/Tuesday 10 June
April
May
Interim submission Two Due week six semester two
June
July
August
September
Final Hand-in and presentation. Due Thursday 23 October
October
05 Timeline
March April -
Research and Analysis Refine and develop research topic Review a range of relevant literature into theory and practice Present a proposal that outlines the expected issues and context of the assignment - due Friday 28 March Start template for booklet in InDesign
May
Feedback on findings so far First conceptual designs for site at multiple scales Decision made on small scale intervention site Preparation of Interim Submission Two - Practice and refine presentation with supervisor Continue progression with InDesign document
Reflection and critique of comments made on proposal Continued research into relevant theory and related issues Variety of site analysing techniques such as sketching, finding, mapping, and Geographic information system modelling (GIS) Interim submission One - Presentation of work in process, ten minute talk with ten minutes of questions. Due Monday 9 June/Tuesday 10 June Critique and refine with supervisor
June
Interim Submission Two presentation Presentation of work in process, ten minute talk with ten minutes of questions. Due week six semester two Reflection on presentation and refinement of ideas based on feedback Development and refinement of conceptual design ideas Continued research and analysis of site and ecological data
July -
Preparation towards final presentation layout Testing ideas to make sure they work with the use of models, collages and possible on site implementations Continued work on InDesign documentation booklet
Aug -
Continued refinement and finalisation of idea Further research and site analysis if needed Finalisation of design idea
Sept -
Completion of final renders models Practice print pin up of over all idea
Oct -
Preparation, practice and refinement of presentation speech Final tweaks then print out of complete presentation and booklet - Due 23 Oct
06 References
The official Web site of the High Line & Friends of the High Line. (2000-2014). James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + renfro. Retrieved March 2014, from High Line: http:// www.thehighline.org/james-corner-field-operations-and-diller-scofidio-renfro Allman, G. (Composer). (2003). Dusk ‘till Dawn. [T. A. Band, Performer] On Live at the Peach Music Festival. USA: Atlantic Studios. Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division. (2008). World Urbanization Prospects The 2007 Revision. Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division. New York: United Nations. Forman, R. T. (1981). Patches and structural components for a landscape ecology. Bioscience 31. New York. Gardner, R. H. (1989). Quantifying scale-dependent effects of animal movements with simple percolation models. Landscape Ecology . New York, USA. Leopold, A. (1966). A Sand County Almanac: With Other Essays on Conservation from Round River. Oxford University Press. Maeterlinck, M. (1862-1949). The Life of the Bee [La Vie des Abeilles]. France: Copyright, 1901, Dodd, Mead and Company Copyright, 1928, by Alfred Sutro. Merriam, G. (1984). Proceedings of the First International Seminar on Methodology in Landscape Ecological Research and Planning. Theme I: Landscape Ecological Concepts. Connectivity: a fundamental ecological characteristic of landscape pattern. , 1, Pages 5-16. Meurk C.D. and Hall, G. (2006). Options for enhancing forest biodiversity across New Zealand’s managed landscapes based on ecosystem modelling and spatial design. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 30 , 1, 131-146. Noss, R. F. (1991). Landscape connectivity: different functions and different scales. . (W. E. Hudson, Ed.) Landscape linkages and biodiversity , 27-39. Sawhill, J. C. (1986). Energy Conservation: Successes and Failures. Brookings: Brookings Institution Press. Spivak, M. (2013, June). Why bees are disappearing. (M. Spivak, Performer) TEDGlobal 2013.