OOS 28-2 - Research and knowledge gaps on ecosystem services generated by low impact development

Wednesday, August 9, 2017: 1:50 PM
Portland Blrm 256, Oregon Convention Center
Daniele Spirandelli, Urban and Regional Planning, University of Hawaii, Honolulu,, HI and Amanda Cording, Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Honolulu, HI
Background/Question/Methods

Low Impact Development (LID) is an approach to development (or re-development) that aims to mimic pre-development hydrology by using watershed planning, design, and site-scale ecological engineering techniques, often in highly urbanized landscapes. Techniques such as bioswales (or bioretention rain gardens), green roofs, constructed wetlands, and porous materials have been shown to remove pollutants in stormwater and wastewater for re-use and/or replenishment of groundwater supplies, however, the ancillary ecological benefits and services that may also be provided are often overlooked. Designing landscapes for cross-functional benefits could provide long-term strategies for combatting stormwater/wastewater pollution, and hydrologic restoration of local freshwater systems, while also offering local resilience to climate change, forage for pollinators and birds, carbon uptake and other greenhouse gas reduction, habitat provision, and reduced energy consumption.

Results/Conclusions

This paper highlights evidence in the literature regarding the potential ecosystem services generated by LID practices and identifies key knowledge gaps and directions for future research.