Ecotonelanddesign's Blog

Language of Ecological Degradation

ecotonelanddesign — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:19:23 +0000

I was reviewing some CNU materials and found a piece titled “Sprawl Wrecks the Landscape”. This may be a benign choice of words in most respects. However I was struck that we often are concerned with the aesthetic blight that accompanies development; but we are really not in touch with the affects on plant and animal life. If we see trees, rolling hills or wetland prairies being destroyed we may have little comprehension of the loss of habitat and beneficial species that keep biomass recycled, etc. If this is true, what do we do about it?

Security and Climate

ecotonelanddesign — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:04:32 +0000

I attended the recent USF forum on National Security, Energy and Climate, with former featuring former Senators John Warner (R-VA), Bob Graham (D-FL), Vice Admiral Dennis McGinnis and Thomas Crisman. They share the affect of climate change and energy dependence shared by the general population and the military. This includes the unrest and chaos that will occur when coastal areas are flooded around the world and the national energy grid is affected. Hopefully, having the military establishment on board with a goal to do better community planning (even if it is based upon national security). It is good to know that the military needs coincide more with the general public than any particular power. They indicate that the security of the world depends upon energy independence and preparing for the many negative ramifications of sea level rise. They know we are not prepared.

Methane and Global Warming

ecotonelanddesign — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:46:40 +0000

I’d like to hear some thoughts about whether fauna are creating more methane today or in the past and how that might affect global warming

Native Plants for Your Site

ecotonelanddesign — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:57:32 +0000

The use of native plant species is not a new thing. Many of our old standby species are well worn. The ornamental Southern Magnolia (magnolia grandiflora) has been gracing home landscapes since the early European colonists pulled it out of the woods and placed it in a more convenient location near their homes. ”Ancient” Live Oaks still line the formal entrance routes to historic plantation sites. But such monocultural plantings were not as kind to the American elm, as it was struck with Dutch elm disease and virtually eliminated as an ornamental landscape plant.

At Ecotone Land Design, Inc. we try to clarify how native plants play a pivotal part in what our cooperative extension service suggest as the “right plant – right place” design rule. Trusting someone who works at maintaining or installing a landscape to give knowledgeable plant selection advise could be risky. If you don’t have time to do your own research, consider finding advice from someone with a horticultural, arboriculture or botanical background to be on the safe side. Knowledgeable people may understand where their shortcomings are and be willing to direct you to someone who can help you with your specific need.

Just because a plant is native does not mean that there is a place for it in your landscape. Your site is likely drastically changed from its “natural” condition, so your soils and water availability need to be evaluated, even though your site was once a wetland. Understanding whether a plant species grows naturally in a “Mesic” or “xeric” environment or in sun or shade are just some of the types of considerations that could make native plants a success in your landscape.

Visions of Smart Growth and Sustainability

ecotonelanddesign — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:02:54 +0000

If you haven’t taken the opportunity to review “Visions of Smart Growth and Sustainability”, check it out at flasla.org. I helped to write and edit this 160-page document on regional and community planning.