Landscape architecture and novel ecosystems: ecological restoration in an expanded field

Abstract

Within the continuum of natural-to-novel ecosystems − i.e., from the 'pristine' to the greatly intervened − this paper emphasizes the role of design within highly modified ecosystems in areas of urbanization. It is argued that, as certain landscapes (particularly urbanized ones) can never be restored to original levels of historical ecological fidelity, they should be treated as both cultural and ecological landscapes. It is then proposed that these anthropogenic landscapes would be ready canvases for designed (or planned) novel ecosystems that could be inculcated with ecological function and systems delivery, yet having profound aesthetic manipulation. Based on this landscape architecture perspective, it is suggested that ecologists may not have fully explored cultural interventions in restoring landscapes, especially within the agency of design. A design strategy for the biological hotspot of Perth in southwestern Australia is then provided as a relevant example of how novel ecosystems can be designed. Without an acute and novel approach to modifying current development practices, Perth's biodiversity is on track for considerable deterioration. From this exploratory backdrop, it is elaborated how neo-baroque design strategies can be used for structuring ecological systems to create resilient and productive novel ecosystems grounded in a critical and autochthonous aesthetic of botanical complexity.

Man-Made Landforms in Landscape Design of Territories as a Means of Solving Environmental Problems

“…The diversity of such a landscape is created by differences in ratios of angles of slopes and changes in light and color. Such decisions can form key characteristics of the area (both natural and artificially created), causing a whole range of feelings -from tranquility to surprise and delight in the process of contemplating the landscape [13]. to be an independent active compositional focus.…”

Evaluating urban shape of Tehran through differential semantics scale

“…In other words, there are geologic, hydrologic, climatic, biologic, natural, and cultural processes that need to be taken into account by urban planners. It is also known that the natural landscape has been greatly affected by urbanization as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon with its ecological, spatial, economic, cultural, and social aspects (Arnaiz-Schmitz et al, 2018;Huu et al, 2018;Klug, 2012;Oteros-Rozas et al, 2014;Sack, 2013;Zoderer et al, 2016). Despite the significance of landscape as a cultural and natural phenomenon in economic and social challenges, and the significant role of the urban planners and inhabitants of a city in landscape design, no one has yet asked for the inhabitants' perspectives of a good landscape design for a city in which they live.…”

Moral-Material Ontologies of Nature Conservation: Exploring the Discord between Ecological Restoration and Novel Ecosystems

“…In this context, recourse to historical ecosystems is 'no longer practical… [as] we leave behind traditional goals that underpin conservation and restoration, notably connection to historically rooted ideals' (Hobbs et al, 2013d, 59). Accordingly, supporters of this perspective suggest that new more 'realistic and optimistic conservation actions' (Hallett et al, 2013, 25) are required that focus on maintaining and enhancing ecosystems services rather than ensuring a particular species composition (Collier, 2014, Sack, 2013. Released from mooring to historical referents, promoters of this conservation strategy predict that 'novelty will lose visible context to people, at which point we will simply be living in a new normal of rapidly changing ecosystems' (Marris et al, 2013, 348).…”