6 minute read
.Ecosystems Study. RESEARCH & CONCEPT.
What ecosystem types are suitable for the site?
Advertisement
Terrestrial - Forest Ecosystem
Deciduous
The Deciduous Forest Ecosystem is characterised by broad-leaved trees that shed their foliage during winter, and generally thrive on gray-brown and brown podzols. The implementation of deciduous trees has several urban forestry benefits, including introducing biodiversity into an area.
This ecosystem can be divided into four primary layers; the ground layer, where decomposers in the soil such as bacteria, fungi and worms, produce nutrients and fuel trophic relationships, the under-story layer, characterised by small mammals that are primary consumers, and the canopy layer, which hosts other birds and insects (The Registry of Nature Habitats, 2023).
The food forest can utilise the biodiversity promoted within the canopy and under-story layers of the deciduous forest ecosystem. The deciduous forest could act as the primary ecosystem on site, working in conjunction with the wildflower meadow and lentic ecosystem by providing litterfall to fuel trophic relationships and increase biodiversity.
• Due to significant canopy cover and shading, the trees in both the canopy and under-story layers may need to be stepped in relation to ground planting, in order to allow sufficient sunlight to all planting and ensure the efficiency of the ecosystem.
Key
Wildflower Meadow
There has been a renewed interest in Wildflower Ecosystems in recent years, due to growing concerns surrounding biodiversity protection and augmentation. Wildflower meadows thrive on nutrient-poor and waterlogged soil, as there are less opportunities for other faster-growing, nutrient dependant grasses to grow and smother the field. This system hosts a diverse range of animal species, and is a particularly compatible habitat for pollinators.
This ecosystem can be divided into four primary layers; the soil layer and litter layer, where the most nutrient and trophic production takes place, as well as the leaves and stems later and the blossom layer, where consumption occurs and pollinators thrive (Forest Research, 2023).
• An extensive wildflower meadow may not be appropriate from a food forestry perspective, given the size of the site, but meadow style planting could be intermittently implemented to provide a habitat for pollinators.
The wildflower meadow thrives on depraved and waterlogged soil, which makes it a suitable ecosystem for the brownfield site.
• The incorporation of flowering, edible species for ground cover, within the litter layer of the meadow ecosystem, could facilitate subsequent biodiversity within the leaves and stems and blossom layers, also encouraging a sustainable habitat for pollinators.
• However, the mitigation of pest infiltration is also an important measure to be considered when promoting biodiversity.
The Lentic Ecosystem - An overview
The Lentic Aquatic Ecosystem refers to standing water sources such as ponds and lakes, that gain most of their energy through photosynthesis performed by algae and aquatic plants, often occurring in only the first few millimetres of the pelagic zone. The ecological efficiency and biodiversity of the ecosystem increases with the increased surface area of the pond, and generally decreases with depth, due to light attenuation.
This ecosystem can be divided into three primary zones, characterised by the benthic (pond floor) zone and pelagic (water channel) zone. The littoral zone is the shallow-most part of the pond, where the majority of inter-system relationships occur as well as connections to other terrestrial ecosystems. The limnetic zone is the open water body that exists closest to the surface, while the profundal zone defines the zone that occurs in the depths of the water body (Bionity, 2023).
Key takeaways for food forestry:
• While the lentic ecosystem encourages significant biodiversity, it may not be appropriate for the food forest model, given the limited area of the site and the need to maximise food production.
• Biodiversity within the ecosystem increases with the increased surface area of the water body, and relies on consistent access to sunlight, meaning a relatively extensive pool would need to be provided, and positioned in a way where it is not affected by shade.
Bacteria in this system obtain their energy from the decomposition of litterfall and dead organisms that occurs in the littoral zone which, given the positioning next to maintained garden beds, may not occur.
• The lentic ecosystem could be implemented in future projects on larger sites, perhaps as a means of irrigation.
RESEARCH & CONCEPT.
What is a Food Forest?
What is Food Forest?
A food forest, also called a forest garden, is a diverse planting of edible plants that attempts to mimic the ecosystems and patterns found in nature. Food forests are three dimensional designs, with life extending in all directions – up, down, and out.
Generally, we recognize seven layers of a forest garden – the overstory, the under-story, the shrub layer, the herbaceous layer, the root layer, the ground cover layer, and the vine layer. Some also like to recognize the mycelial layer, layer eight (mushrooms). Using these layers, we can fit more plants in an area without causing failure due to competition.
Founded in 2020 in Parco Nord in Milan.
The Food Forest is a project born from the collaboration between the public institution Parco Nord Milano and Etifor a spin-off of the University of Padua, dedicated to the development of services and products for the enhancement of nature.
The Food Forest in Parco Nord in Milan will contain 2000 plants, including fruit, woody and medicinal trees and shrubs that can be adopted by citizens. They are planted according to seasons.
The species selected for the project are all native or well integrated into the area: Jujube Pomegranate Mulberry Japanese Goumi, Azarole Medlar Dog Rose, Hawthorn, Sea Buckthorn, Fig,Elderberry Sloe Wild Pear , Cherry, Crab Apple, Linden, Oak, Dogwood Hornbeam, Ash Hazel, Maple.
SEVEN layers of a Food Forest
Layer1// Thecanopylayerincludes thetallesttrees,usually over9meters.Timber trees,nut-producingtrees, ornitrogen-fixingtrees maybeincludedinthis layer..
Layer2// Thelayerofsmalltrees includestreesbetween3 and9metersandmostof thefruittrees.
Layer3//
Theshrublayerincludes woodyplantsupto3 meterstall.Fruitshrubs arepartofthislayer
Layer4// Theherbaceouslayer includesprobablythe largestvarietyofplantsin thefoodforestsystem.It includesaromatic, medicinalplants,perennial vegetableandannualand biennialplants
From 2015, the field around CasciNET was a dump. In 2016 it was completely cleaned up by the NGO around CasciNET, also thanks to the voluntary contribution of the Lega Ambiente and thanks to a contribution from ACEA we were able to plant the first 40 trees, selecting old fruit varieties typical of Lombardy. Now CasciNET is a forest developed according to the principles of permaculture. Most of the plants are edible and develop a natural balance that can regenerate land and people. They provide workshops and community events to bring the local community together. They follow a philosophy of living together with nature, being able to gain resources from the land but also give back. They are currently undergoing a crowd funding project to also get chickens on the site in order to harvest eggs.
Layer5// Thecoverlayerincludes manyplantsalsoincluded inthepreviouslayerbut somehaveaparticularly highperformanceinthis role.
Layer6//
Intheundergorundlayer severalplantsdevelop edible(andnon-edible) rootsystems,tubersor undergroundbulbs.They alsoareimportantforthe structuralimprovementof thesoilandits decompaction.
Layer7// Thelayerofclimbing plantsaddsproductivityon layersalreadypresentand spreadovermultiple heights.Theplantsinthis layerclimbbywrapping theirstemsortendrils aroundartificialornatural supports.
& CONCEPT.
Why do we need Food Forests?
The environmental benefits of Food Forests
Carbon Sequestration in the Food Forest.
Plants and structure from the references Food Forest in Parco Nord and Food Forest CasciNET. Both forests are built up according to the principle of permaculture. The forest grows in 7 different layers and is planted and built up gradually. The trees in the forest not only provide fruit for consumption and flowers for pollinators but also act as visual and noise barriers to the nearby road and metro line. Alongside the aesthetic quality the trees act as carbon sequesters reducing the amount of carbon pollution in the air.
Typical Trees for an north Italian Food Forest: Jujube Pomegranate Mulberry Japanese Goumi, Azarole Medlar Dog Rose, Hawthorn, Sea Buckthorn, Fig,Elderberry Sloe , Wild Pear Cherry, Crab Apple, Linden, Oak, Dogwood Hornbeam, Ash Hazel, Maple.
Contributing to reforestation - low maintenance sources of carbon sequestration
Reducing the carbon footprint of mass agriculture - local, pesticide free produce
Providing habitats for pollinators - more pollinators means more productive green spaces
Increasing biodiversity - establishing a resilient green network that reduces risk of disease
The community benefits of Food Forests
Increasing food security - establishing sustainable food production within communities
Providing access to locally sourced fresh produce - promoting healthy lifestyles
Connecting communities to and through nature - providing spaces for people to gather
Educating children and the local communityincreasing knowledge on sustainable food practices
FOREST GARDEN DESIGN CAN REDUCE INPUTS IN VARIOUS WAYS, INCLUDING:
1. placing emphasis on trees, shrubs, perennials, and self-seeding annuals,
2. planting thickly and using ground covers to shade soil and suppress weeds,
3. utilizing nitrogen-fixing and nutrient-accumulating plants, chopand-drop techniques, and returning wastes to the land to create healthy soil rather than applying fertilizer,
4. planting a diverse array of plants that attract beneficial insects to pollinate the fruit crops and keep pest populations from exploding and causing damage,
5. utilizing several ground-shaping techniques to keep rain water on the site, and
6. designing for placement of plants to create micro-climates and windbreaks..
Compared to oak trees, which are also well-known for its annual carbon storage capacity of 12.1 tonnes per ha, black locust can absorb 14% more (about 1.69 tonnes) carbon.
The mulberry tree can capture 2.1 tonnes of CO2 Carbon Emissions over its lifetime.
Maple trees capture 0.83 tonnes of CO2 over their lifetime. This number will vary depending on size and location.
The cherry blossom tree can capture 2.41 tonnes of CO2 Carbon Emissions over its lifetime. The cherry tree can capture 0.93 tonnes in comparison.
The dogwood tree is another good at absorbing carbon dioxide. It’s not as large as some other types, only growing about 25 feet tall when fully grown.
Fruit bearing trees tend to have a higher capability for absorbing carbon. The average plum tree can absorb between 10-40kg of CO2 per year.