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.