Rick Tomlinson MA Landscape Architecture Exhibition Portfolio 2015 Manchester Metropolitan University
SITE LOCATION The Sites location lies in the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal
STRATEGY
SITE INFROMATION Situated on the border with Spain Idanha-a-Nova was once a strategic trading post within the Iberian peninsular ruled by Templar Knights this region boasts many historic ruins and is rich in heritage and has many historical features. The current condition of Idanha-a-Nova is far from its prestigious past. An ageing population and degradation of the landscape has lead to the area suffering from desertification and is in a social, economic and environmental state of decline.
economic activity within the municipality is agriculture. Vast olive groves and aggro-forestry A prominent
plantations make up much of the regions income through the exportation of produce. However modern mechanical interventions have replaced manual labourer, rendering many of these workers unemployed contributing to depopulation and
desertification.
Poor agricultural practice is degrading the landscape and ex-
hausting its resources. Mono-culture plantations of Eucalyptus and Pine dominate the landscape, increasing soil erosion as well as reducing biodiversity and impacting heavily on freshwater processes within the region. My personal proposition is a strategic landscape lead approach to combating desertification within the municipality. Focusing on the
“Release of hydrological potential to create a responsive landscape�
This process driven approach will seek to bridge the divide between anthropocentric and biocentric systems creating a mutual synergy.
CLIMATE CHANGE
PREDICTION MODEL FOR FRESHWATER STRESS IN 2030
GLOBAL CONDITION OF FRESHWATER
Freshwater scarcity maybe our first climate change adaptability challenge. A quarter of the planet will experience severe water shortage by the year 2030. The three main factors currently contributing to freshwater loss are:
20% Less available freshwater
•Wasteful use of freshwater •Depleting aquifers due to overuse •Declining precipitation and prolonged droughts leading to the loss of surface and subsurface water resource
STRATEGY
+20% +10% -10% -20%
GLOBAL FRESHWATER AS RESOURCE
2.5% Frozen Freshwater
0.5% Available Freshwater
Aquifers Rainfall Natural Lakes Reservoirs Rivers
97% Undrinkable seawater
45,000 large dams globally, representing dormant potential
Idanha-a-Nova - Portugal
Proposal - to release dormant potential utilising hydrological systems and natural process to create new economic growth centred around the largest body of freshwater in the municipality. With the potential to act as a global precedent for adapting current practices.
CONSIDERING THE WATERSHED TO
Current condition
RELEASE THE RESERVOIR POTENTIAL Native woodland has been converted into afforestation plantations around the world at an accelerating rate. Trees and non native woody vegetation generally use more water than indigenous species. The establishment of plantations for agricultural purposes is therefore likely to alter local hydrology and processes relate. This change in the landscape condition can have a detrimental effect on the landscape function, resulting in the degradation of hydrological and ecological processes. A situation that is evident throughout the municipality of Idanha a Nova, and is a contributing factor to desertification. Introduced plantations increases rainfall interception at the canopy layer, increases transpiration rates and decreases soil moisture and retention. These negative processes ultimately decrease stream and river discharge. Deep rooted plantation species such as Eucalyptus and Pine, evident throughout Idanha a Nova, have been shown to lower ground water tables and draw subsurface water from areas around, draining and depleting the wider landscape.
STRATEGY
The ecological function in native Iberian vegetation has also been found to be more productive than Eucalyptus afforestation. Abelho and Garcia (1996) found that leaf litter dynamics and macroinvertabrete activity was greater in native vegetation structure. Resulting in higher nutrient content within the hydrological structure, an important factor in the establishment of healthy ecological function, within the wider landscape and connected water bodies.
Unsustainable management resulting in an accelerating loss of hydrology and ecological processes.
First stage Intervention - (Secondary)
Afforestation is thinned and native vegetation is planted to allow for the first stages of natural succession to begin.
Managed woodland - (Tertiary)
A symbiosis between the landscape and hydrological systems is managed to increase the quality of water supply and ecological processes.
Current condition
Secondary
Tertiary
The macro scale proposal addresses unsustainable landscape management processes, restoring areas that are currently Producing negative freshwater output and regenerating a riparian ecosystem, benefiting both biocentric and anthropocentric processes. The re-introduction of Iberian plant vegetation establishes productive canopy, under-story and ground layer stratification Processes. Improving ecological resilience, enabling sustainable and productive ecosystem functions, reintroducing ecosystem services that can be utilised for a sustainable and economic growth.
Iberian Vegetation Agro forestry Permanently irrigated Olive groves Non irrigated Arable land Reservoir, Rivers & Streams
RELEASING THE RESERVOIR POTENTIAL
FUTURE POTENTIAL AFTER WATERSHED INTERVENTION
The largest body of water is key in the release of hydrological potential within the territory. This work will increase its potential through the manipulation of the edge condition, creating the opportunity for not just a single datum measurement, but for a dynamic gradient of possibilities.
Seasonal low
Aug
Seasonal high
Feb
The proposed intervention at the macro scale will reduce this dramatic fluctuation in water height, however seasonal change will continue to have an effect upon the landscape dynamic.
STRATEGY
Increased predictability, nutrient levels and water flow through the wider scale intervention, along with the fluctuating water height provides opportunities for and a new relationship between water and land. Establishing ecological systems as an organising structure, biocentric regeneration will provide a continuum of opportunities for both production and enjoyment.
POSSIBLE RESPONSE’S - Regenerating the Reservoir Edge
Fort William - Scotland
Manipulation of the reservoir edge condition creates the opportunity to initiate responses within the natural dynamic of water height fluctuation. Allowing for integrated biocentric and anthropocentric opportunities to establish, both spontaneous and orchestrated.
Submerged and emergent Island Hummocks promote biocentric opportunity harnessed to regenerate the reservoir
Linear islands enable water to be captured and controlled for increasing productivity
Fish pens provide economic productivity, infrastructure growth for production, packing and distribution. The ecological benefits include the release of organic matter the building blocks of the food chain and a natural fertiliser helping to establish healthy plant growth. Minghu Wetland Park - China
Island and Inlets to capture and hold water to initiate both anthropocentric and biocentric responses
Infrastucture can be added between and secured by the islands
Through regenerative design techniques, a deteriorated peri-urban site has been transformed into a nationally celebrated wetland park Providing multiple ecosystem services. Aztecs - Chinampa
Large islands create opportunity to stage anthropocentric activity
Food production can be installed and managed on the islands with a constant surply of water
Made for sustainable material chinampas are small stationary islands constructed for agricultural purposes and positioned within a freshwater lake body. Lake Indle - Burma
The construction of habitat pools and islands, establishes natural process and succession as organisational infrastructure. The nutrients released throughout the plants and animals regenerative processes will accelerate the regeneration of the reservoir condition whilst improving resilience through establishing an efficient ecosystem.
Linear islands provide a network of water channels allowing a formal response to integrate production and related infrastructure.
Floating vegetation islands provide both valuable ecological habitat and production value. The fluidity of their structure allows responsive compensation for water height variants and the flexibility for interchangeable locations, respective of the landscape condition.
SUBMERGED AND EMERGENT ISLANDS
LOW WATER
The natural weirs provide adaptability within the hydrological and landscape processes. The established ecological systems within both the macro and micro scales, will work in synergy to provide biocentric renewal, establishing optimal growing conditions for vegetation during the longer dry spells. The weirs allow for an element of control syphoning water to the growing plantations and establishing economic growth within the fluctuating gradients of the water line. The winter months will bring higher water and the regeneration of growing conditions. Leisure and social interaction intertwines within the agricultural economic activity, as the dynamic interactions between land and water establish.
Water level
Winter Regeneration
Produce growth
Summer Productivity
HIGH WATER
STRATEGY
Left to right: A look through the life span of growing landscape infrastructure. 2017: construction of islands develop opportunities both on the islands and within the surrounding waters. Secondary development: A stage of agricultural, ecological and economic grow. Tertiary development: Increased water supply to the reservoir and improved biocentric productivity results in an established anthro-bio symbiotec relationship.
RESPONSES - Maximising the regeneration of the Reservoir edge
Controlled water will allow sustainable crop production all year round increase economic growth while enabling longevity
Large islands operate as both water harvesting structures, holding and releasing water, and centres for larger scale agricultural productivity
Small islands stage biocentric process and imitate regenerative measures increasing opportunity within the reservoir edge and water body
EDGE INTERVENTION THROUGH TIME
Current
STRATEGY
Secondary
Intervention
10-20 Years
Tertiary
0-10 Years
30+ Years
The reservoir edge condition evolves in conjunction with the macro scale afforestation intervention. A more efficient use of water within the watershed will increase supply to the reservoir, reducing the dramatic fluctuations, whilst also improving nutrient levels for a more sustainable growth and development.
Upland
Production
Riparian
Emergent and submerged
DESIGN STATEMENT Context - Development of the reservoir edge condition to be an “organic model of open-endedness� allowing flexibility, resilience and adaption to be the key organising structure of integrated systems. Purpose - Utilising the waters edge to enable sustainable and adaptive repopulation of the landscape through a landscape integrated economy resilient to change. Execution - Ecological systems will not necessarily be managed, rather human actions will be managed. Environmental cycles will be the organising system from which human interaction is integrated. Visibly connected, flexible production methods will work within, rather than against succession and renewal creating a fruitful alliance but allowing for dynamic changes.
EDGE
Primary production area
Riparian/Island habitat
Emergent and Submerged
Construction methods, Materiality & Human use Food production Coppicing of energy crop Willow, poplar, rush
Outdoor education class
The construction method consists of simple wooded posts banged into the lake bed and secured with woven Hazel or Willow. The soil is compacted as each layer is added to the island until it has reached the high water line. Salix trees are then planted in each corner and at 5m intervals along the edge of the island, these anchor the structures to the lake bed and provide shade for the farmers, along with potential coppicing opportunities.
linked to local university
Process and growth enhancing structure
0-1 Year
3-6 Years
Woven fencing can be used for repairing and supporting islands Precedent: Aztec ‘floating gardens’ Chinampas
Chinampas are small stationary islands constructed for agricultural purposes and positioned within a freshwater lake body. This production method is credited with the growth of the Mayan empire, extremely efficient and sustainable able to produce 3-4 crops on each chinampa per year.
Organic matter Dredged lakebed sediment Organic matter
Reservoir surface (earth, stones & rocks)
7-10 Years
Material can be havested
Trees can be coppiced
Orchid also acts as habitats providing alternate recreation opportunities and income Bird watching increasing tourism opportunities
Larger Islands for animal rearing and food production
Salix for support and produce
EDGE
Constant freshwater supply from the reservoir to service growing produce
Fish farming between the islands. The fish waste helps fertilise the crops in a symbiotic relationship reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizer
Precedent
Outdoor education class linked to local university
Coppicing of energy crop Willow, poplar, rush
Small scale grazing
Small scale silvopasture Silvopasture is the combined agriculture practice of both tree production for timber and or fruit and grazing. It is a system that combines forestry and agriculture technologies it is especially beneficial to small scale farming, utilising space for both timber production, orchards and grazing. Small livestock such as Sheep and Goats are most suitable due to the quantity of forage biomass available and also serve the purpose of long term sustainable landscape management
Bird watching
Current
Secondary
Tertiary
The mounds acts as a catalyst for succession for both flora and fauna. The building blocks for renewal and regeneration working as the ‘engine room’ for biocentric productivity servicing the shoreline and water body with nutrients, whilst also acting as a nursery for birds and fish.
Brockholes Nature Reserve Lancashire, UK
The biodiverse area attracts a plethora of species as successional growth establishes, attracting anthropocentric activity and adding to the economic structure of the area.
Freshwater lake Snorkling Blue Springs, FL, USA
Summer
Rice/Barley production
Autumn
Biodiversity hotspot
Spring
Outdoor education
Bird watching
Swimming
EDGE
Water edge exploration 0-10 Years
10-20 Years
30+ Years
ESTABLISHING VEGETATION IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT - PHASE 1 - Current condition
Secondary condition
Hydroseeding
Hugelkultur mounds
Uses a blend of water, paper/wood and a biodegradable bonding material to suspend the seed in a secure 3D matrix. effective when seeding steep and undulating landforms, and can also be used in conjunction with a Geo-textile fabric as an erosion control method.
Logs are placed on the ground and covered with lake bed sediment and soil. Logs can be sustainably sourced as by-products of Eucalyptus and Pine, resulting from the afforestation proposal within the macro scale.
Construction componants
Growth & Stabilisation
Application
Vegetation Geotextile
Year 1
Hydroseed
Year 5-10
Year 10-20 +
As the logs decompose over time they provide a constent source of nutient for the vegetaion to establish promoting sustainable healthy growth and minimal human intervention
Earth base
Hydroseed mix
Designed to establish successional growth, improving growing conditions over time through microclimate and soil adaption
1
Dominant Plants - 20% (of total seed mix)
Companion Plants - 30%
1. Andromeda polifolia - Bog Rosamary
25%
6. Carex echinata - Star sedge
15%
11. Lolium perenium - Perenial Ryegrass
15%
16. Allium suaveolens - Wild allium
15%
2. Carex diandra - Tussock Sedge
15%
7. Erica tetralix - Cross leaved heath
20%
12. Carex viridula - Common yellow sedge
15%
17. Aster memoralis - Bog aster
25%
3. Eriophorum latifolium - Cotton grass
25%
8. Gentiana pneumonanthe -Marsh gentian 20%
13. Drosera rotundifolia -Common sundew 25%
18. Rhynchospora alba - Whitebeak sedge
15%
4. Iris sibirica - Siberian flag
15%
9. Helonias bullata - Swamp pink
14. Spagnum fimbriatum -Fringed bogmoss 25%
19. Swertia perennis - Felwort
15%
5. Trollius europaeus - Globeflower
20%
10. Trichophoreum caespitosum-Deergrass 20%
15. Trichophorum alpinum - Alpine bulrush
20%
20. Viola palustris - Dwarf marsh violet
30%
15
16
2
3
4
5
6
7
*Plants are consistent with Oligotrophic (low nutrient) conditions found within the current condition of the reservoir
8
Groundcover Plants - 35%
(of total seed mix)
9
25%
10
11
12
13
(of total seed mix)
14
Scattered Plants - 15%
Specification: The hudroseed mix is to be distributed evenly over the prepared Hugelkultur mounds
17
18
(of total seed mix)
19
20
UTILISING VEGETATION FOR LANDSCAPE REGENERATION
Current condition
EDGE
Microorganisms become established within the site. The beginnings of a biocentric food chain begin to entices new animals from the surrounding landscape, bringing and depositing new seeds. The developing islands now become connected to the wider environment, providing resilience and biocentric longevity.
Geotextile soil reinforcent Hydroseeding
A pallet of resilient plants begin to establish, these can be repurposed through the site whilst still ensuring verity. Soil horizon stratification becomes established as the microorganisms oxygenate the soil creating a healthy growing medium.
Plants begin to establish through the geotextile replacing it as the erosion control
A healthy growth rate can be maintained ensuring a variety of plant and animal species, reducing the amount of spontaneous succession whilst still enabling a variety of productive growth. Transpiration from healthy pant growth establishes a moisture rich localised microclimate while also providing shade for plants and animals within the site.
The process of plant decay increases soil humus producing a nutrient rich topsoil. New soil horizons begin to develop within the soil, increasing soil depth, nutrients and micro-organism activity.
The reprogrammed landscape enables a dynamic succession of interacting species of both plants and animals, interlocking the islands within the wider landscape. The resiltant ecosystem allows opportunity for anthropocentric activity and acts as a stage for the second stage of productive planting
ESTABLISHING VEGETATION IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT - PHASE 2 -
Secondary condition
Tertiary condition
TREE PLANTING PALLET
Species
Specification
Species
Age
Height cm
Form
150-200
2x, Feathered, min 5 breaks
5. Corylus colurna Hazel
1/1
100-125
BR
Whip
150-200
2x, Standard
6. Fagus silvatica Common Beach
1/1
100-125
RB
Whip
Branched specimen, min 5 breaks
7. Poplus deltoides Eastern Cottewood
1/1
100-125
BR
Whip
2x, Standard
8. Salix korrensis Willow
1/1
175-200
RB
Whip - cell grown
4
5
Form
Girth
Height
1. Arbutus unedo Strawberry tree
B
8-10
2. Cydonia oblonga Quince tree
B
8-10
3. Sambucus canadensis Elderberry 4. Ficus carcia Fig tree
1
60/80
10L B
2
150-200
8-10
3
POSSIBLE ANTHROPOCENTRIC OUTCOMES
6
7
Specification
8
SUSTAINABLE POTENTIAL - FUTURE MANAGEMENT Acidity
Species
What level of acidity do these species prefere?
Climate
What is the coldest temperature extream this species can tolorate?
Moisture content How well does these species tolorate the following conditions?
Soil type
What soil type do these species prefere?
Nutrient availablity What nutrient level and organic matter is required for the species to thrive?
Anthro productivity How much productivity can be harnessed per species?
Biocentric relationships What species most thrive as a result of the species?
01: Arbutus unedo 02: Cydonia oblonga
03: Sambucus canadensis 04: Ficus carcia
05: Corylus colurna
06: Fagus silvatica
Very acidic 4.0-5.5
Acidic 5.5-6.5
Variable
Hardy 6 -20 to -15
Well drained
Chalk
Hardy 5 -15 to -10
Nutrient poor
Fauna
Variable Variable
Variable
Medium
Part Sun Hardy 3 -5 to 0
Shade tolorent
07: Poplus deltoides
Birds
Sand
Saturated
Neutral 6.5-7.5
Nutrient rich Loam
Low
Alkaline 08: Salix korrensis
Coppicing strategy
11-14 years 15-18 years 19-22 years
EDGE
2-3 years
7-10 years 4-7 years Newly harvested (current)
(before)
Cut close to base during winter
Mamals
*All tree crops are suited to the newly established conditions
HAVESTING POTENTIAL - FUTURE MANAGEMENT
Befor tree is coppiced
Bactieria
Clay
Full Sun Hardy 4 -10 to -5
High
Flowering shoots grow in spring
7-20 years coppice ready for harvest
Management strategy on coppice island ensures produce is available on a continuous cycle, while maintaining diverse habitats within the growing fields
Fruit potential Arbutus unedo
Jan Feb Mar Apr Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Cydonia oblonga Sambucus canadensis Ficus carcia Key:
Plant
Harvest
MANAGEMENT
Management increases to establish iberian woodland within the reservoir watershed
Manual harvesting of produce according to seasonal harvest.
Intense management on the islands culminates with tree planting, once macro and micro interventions are accomplished
Maintaining a healthy dynamic plant community, ensuring dominant species do not become invasive. - Manual clearing to provide accuracy.
e.g. Coppiced on a rotational cycle of 7-10 years allowing succession to continue amongst cleared areas
As a healthy Iberian woodland establishes, intensive management reduces
Silvopasture agricultural method to maintain healthy production and biodiverse vegetation
High I
2nd phase planting
Upland Watershed
n t
e
Repairian/Islands
n
Emergant & Submerged
s i
Production
t
y Low
Succesion
Current
0-10 Years
As water levels rise management intensity reduces and biocentric process can become the organising infrastructure
Secondary
Tertiary
10-20 Years
30 + Years