How the LEED Certification for New Construction is Improving/Affecting Site Ecology
description
Transcript of How the LEED Certification for New Construction is Improving/Affecting Site Ecology
How the LEED Certification for New Construction is Improving/Affecting
Site Ecology
By Gilberto Rosado, P.E.EVPP 607
BackgroundThe primary cause of species extinction is
habitat destruction (development, agricultural)Grasslands now cover only 12% of Earth’s
surface (Used to be 42%)Aquatic ecosystems are been affected by
runoff that contains contaminants because of decrease in pervious areas
Deforestation has affected biodiversity around the world
Buildings consume more than 13% of all the water produced in the United States any given day.
Background (cont’d) In the United States, buildings consume 40%
of total energy, 72% of electricity, consume 13% of potable water, and produce 39% of CO2 emissions.
30% of the water produced in a day (26 billion gallons) is destined to outdoor uses and landscaping. (EPA, 2009)
More than 160 million tons of waste is generated by construction activities each year. (EPA, 2007)
Impervious surface coverage is 83,347 square kilometers (75% of the area of the state of Ohio) (NOAA, 2007)
Green Building TrendDuring the last 10 years “green buildings”
have become very popularMany systems have been developed
worldwide:◦ LEED◦ Green Globes◦ Green Star◦ BREEAM (Building Research Environment
Assessment Method Consultancy)
LEED is the most popular in the United States
What is LEED?LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) – evaluates the performance of buildings, homes, schools, etc.
Assigns certification levels that translate to environmental friendliness of a facility.
USGBC (United States Green Building Council)
Types of Certification
LEED areas that can affect site ecology
Site SelectionFirst Division in the LEED process.Aims to take pressure off green sites.Gives Priority to brown fields.Prohibits construction near wetlands,
rivers, floodplains.
Site Selection CasesChicago Center for Green
Technology◦Constructed on 17 acres of
contaminated soils and debris (after cleaned)
◦Used as an illegal dump site for chemicals and construction debris
Site Selection CasesSouth Waterfront Redevelopment Project
◦Developed in 130 acres of contaminated site.◦One of the biggest redevelopment projects in
the United States.
Sustainable SitesHow does it help the Ecology of a
site?◦Protects green areas and its species.◦Helps architects and engineers
select sites that can be restored.◦New plants and species can be
reintroduced.◦Gives incentive to select sites away
from water bodies.
Protection and Restoration of HabitatCredit 5.1 limits areas of disturbance around
the building constructed.Master plan should be created to protect
plants and species.Clearly delineates protected areas. If using a pre-developed site, 50% of the
area has to be restored.Only the use of native species is allowed.Priority is given to species requiring no
irrigation or maintenance.Help of an Ecologist is “suggested”
Protection and Restoration of Habitat (Cont’d)George Mason University
◦5 Trees were relocated in 2009 from a construction site.
Protection and Restoration of Habitat (Cont’d)Common measures used in
construction:
Tree Preservation
Detention ponds to prevent soil erosion
Protection and Restoration of Habitat (Cont’d)How does it help the Ecology of a
Site?◦Protects areas that are not needed
for construction.◦Protects trees and species already
existing on site.◦Creates a plan to identify species
that can be reintroduced.
Water Quantity/Quality ControlCredits 6.1 & 6.2 refers to Quantity and Quality
ControlAims to minimize sedimentation in storm waterMinimize the amount of water and the rate in
which is dischargedStorm Water Pollution Prevention Plans and
National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems are required
Measures Include:◦ Sedimentation Ponds◦ Silt Fences◦ Bio-retention ponds◦ Sediment Traps
Water Quantity/Quality Control
Silt fence over Inlet
Bio-Retention Swale
Sedimentation Pond
Water Quantity/Quality ControlHow does it affect the Ecology of
a site?◦Reduces turbidity in the water
entering streams.◦Eliminate contaminants from
construction activities.◦Reduce the rate of runoff in rainfall
events.◦Incentivize the use of green areas
(i.e. bio-retention swale)
Heat Island effectHeat Island Effect is the difference in
temperature that is caused by materials used in construction as roofing, asphalt, and others.
The difference in temperature between a City and a rural area can be of up to 22 degrees Fahrenheit.
Credits 7.1 & 7.2 deal with minimizing Heat Island Effect
Heat Island Effect causes:◦ Increase in energy consumption◦ Elevated emissions and pollution◦ Change in comfort for human and species◦ Increase in water runoff temperature
Heat Island Effect
Heat Island EffectHow does LEED try to minimize
Heat Island Effect?◦Incentivize the use of Green Roofs◦Add tree cover to open areas◦Use roofing materials with high
reflectance index◦Use cool pavements.
Heat Island Effect
Green Roof Roof with Hi Solar Reflectance Index
Cool Pavements
Heat Island EffectHow does it affect the Ecology of
a site?◦LEED helps architects to provide
measures to reduce the temperature of a site, making it more comfortable for birds and insects.
◦Pollution and Emissions can be reduced in the long run, helping the air quality.
Light PollutionLight pollution is the excessive or obstructive
light that limits the visibility of the night sky. It interferes with animal physiology. It affects how insects navigate at night.Changes pollination in plants that depend on
night insects.For migratory birds, light pollution can cause
disorientation.For sea turtles, it can change the direction in
which new hatchings swim once born.
Light PollutionMeasure that LEED suggests:
◦Reduction of light leakage from the interior of buildings
◦Reduce the amount of lighting used in common areas
◦Use light fixtures that redirect its light beam downwards.
Light Pollution
Light Pollution
Light poles use for light pollution Light bollards for exterior
Areas that LEED Cover (Cont’d)Reduction in Water Use (up to 50%)Reduction of Runoff Water (up to
90%)◦Protection of marine habitats
Use of native plants in landscaping◦Reintroduction of local species
Material Reuse and RecyclingCertified Wood
FSC – Forest Stewardship Council
Something Missing? Initial Ecological Assessment
◦ General Assessment of the characteristics of the site.
◦ Check for ecological trends.◦ Identify regional species and
goals
Something Missing?Plant and Animal List
◦ A tally should be made of all the plant species, and insects that live currently in the area.
◦ Identify how these species will be affected by the construction activities.
◦ Determine if re-introduction of species is feasible/warranted by the type of project.
Something Missing?Mitigation Plan
◦ Determine local and regional conservation targets.◦ Analyze if the project can or will have landscape
connectivity.◦ Identify the spatial extent of the areas affected in
relation to its surroundings.◦ Identify the additive impact in habitats caused by
the project.◦ Determine what type of mitigation effort shall be
included in the project.
RecommendationsInclude Species Inventory in
rating systemIncentivize the re-introduction of
native animal speciesCreate a mitigation planInclude ecological evaluation in
every project silver or higher
ConclusionConstruction project will always have an effect in the
Ecology of a site.As determined in a study in the UK, current green
building certification programs found:◦ There is no common approach to assessment of biodiversity across the principal
sustainability tools.◦ Sustainability tools could be improved to assess biodiversity in a more meaningful
way, which better assesses the value of habitats that are gained and lost.◦ Improvements could be made to the tools which focus users on making a genuine
contribution to local ecological value, rather than unintentionally encouraging a ‘tickbox’ approach.
◦ Sustainability tools do not encourage the industry to appropriately monitor and therefore meaningfully maintain and manage habitats created through development.
The LEED certification program is a “good start” towards being ecologically conscious.
Effort needs to be put towards developing programs that include ecological assessments.
THANKS!