Adaptive Ecosystems

climate change adaption

Climate change is altering the range of plants we can - and should - grow. Climate zones are moving away from the equator much faster than Nature can shift plants by seed dispersal, so it up to us to anticipate and accelerate that process; this is particularly important in the Middle East region, where temperatures are already extreme. Even some native plants may suffer as conditons worsen, so it is as well to look at those adaptive plants which also survive without irrigation. Some of these might be considered invasive but often it is a matter of management, or selection of benign sub-species etc.

Nature Based Solutions

holistic design thinking

Landscape planting must deal with more then just aesthetics - it needs to generate active ecosystems that promote thriving micro-communities of insects, soil microbes, mycorrhizal fungi, birds etc., in order to generate functioning ecosystem services. We do this by incorporating Nature Based Solutions, layering planting with appropriate species. Urban coppicing and mulch production is one possible method of managing such planting, something I have written about in my blog.

Carpenter bees benefiting from use of adaptive planting

Plants such as Prosopis (ghaf) are tough and coppice well

Moringa oleifera showing good coppice regrowth

Ziziphus Spina-Christi showing strong regrowthl

Generating Soil Health

soil ecology and health

Landscape Health Depends upon Soil Health

We have misunderstood or ignored the vital role of soil in supporting both local and planetary health. Good soil supports a teeming diversity of microbes, insects and fungi, sequesters carbon, stores water and supports all life. The soil under a tree is vital to the health of everything. We are drying out our continents, yet small changes in management can have an immediate local effect and benefit. It may be as simple as de-compacting and mulching soil.

Replacing coastal soil with 'sweet soil' does nothing to generate soil health

Mulches are essential to create good, active soil ecology. Using landscape waste as mulch protects and feeds the soil.

Conocarpus mulch from leaf litter - don't tidy it away!

Fungi have both decay and soil-building properties, both essential

I would be very happy to discuss your project by phone, email or Zoom/Teams.

Site visits are charged as consultancy and cost reflects distance. Contact details are on Home page.

mark laurence design ltd | ecological treescapes