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INVESTIGATION OF SELCUK UNIVERSITY CAMPUS LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN
TERMS OF WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ARRANGEMENT
Article in Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology · December 2019
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Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology 20, No 4, 2130–2140 (2019) Sustainable landscape planning
INVESTIGATION OF SELCUK UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN TERMS OF WATER EFFICIENT
LANDSCAPE ARRANGEMENT
B. OZTURK KURTASLANa*, O. DEMIRELb, S. S. KURT KONAKOGLUc
aDepartment of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, Selcuk
University, 42 250 Konya, Turkey E-mail: bkurtaslan@gmail.com
bDepartment of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts, Kirikkale
University, 71 450 Kirikkale, Turkey
cDepartment of Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of
Architecture, Amasya University, 05 100 Amasya, Turkey
Abstract. Due to climate change, increasing temperatures and decreasing water resources, landscape designs that use rational water in landscape architecture and other disciplines are nowadays. The water-efficient landscape design (xeriscape) includes not only the use of water-demanding crop plants, but also water-saving alternative irrigation methods, mulching, etc. In this study, the concept of xeriscape, which refers to the landscapes created by using water at minimum level, was discussed and the existence of the related solutions in the case of Selcuk University Campus was investigated. Water demand of the plants used in the campus, irrigation methods of green areas, mulching, plant species used have been investigated and the recommendations have been developed for an ecologi-cally sustainable landscape. It is a necessity to increase the measures to be taken for the rational use of water in the campus, which is in a city such as Konya which has a terrestrial climate and where water resources are very limited.
Keywords: water-efficient landscape, Selcuk University, Konya. AIMS AND BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to reveal feasibility of planting work carried out at Selcuk University Campus in terms of water efficient landscaping. Within the scope of the study, a literature search was made about xeriscape, water requirements of plants, irrigation methods of green areas and mulching. Xerophytic plant species in Selcuk University Campus were identified and suggestions were developed for an ecologically sustainable landscape design.
Air, soil and water are among the most important interrelated factors that ensure the highest level of productivity among natural resources, which are not produced
fac-tors, water is one of the indispensable prerequisites for formation of habitats of living things. In recent years, the number of clean water resources on the earth is decreasing due to the rapid increase of population and living standards, change of climate conditions, increased environmental problems and pollution.
Eliminating the effects of global warming and taking water under control in an ecologic way is a one of the main environmental struggle today. A natural drainage to minimise the surface run-off and restoring urban hydrological cycle are the challenges and some of the efforts to minimising these effects. A compat-ible water management is a primacy issue for the local strategies due to social and
economical development2.
Today, landscape architecture and other planning professional disciplines have adopted water efficient landscaping, water smart applications, using low amounts of water, natural landscaping and ecological planning for solution of water prob-lem. One of the first conceptual approaches developed by formulating these basic principles is ‘Xeriscape’. Xeriscape can be defined as a special landscaping that aims to protect the water resources and environment by using the least amount of water in general. Especially in summer, increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation increase the water requirement of green areas. For this reason, the plant species used and their location affect the microclimatic environment and bioclimatic comfort of that region and indicate the importance of water shortage
during these months3. This impact has even more negative consequences for cities
in continental climatic conditions such as Konya.
The main purpose of the xeriscape arrangement is to conserve water resources by minimising water use. It is not necessary to reorganise the landscape area to make the arrangement, but the existing design can be re-arranged according to
xeriscape principles4–6.
The xeriscape arrangement has 7 basic principles, being4,6–8.
Planning and design. It is the most important stage of xeriscape arrangement. At this stage, the topography, soil, hydrological characteristics, regional climatic conditions, natural flora and fauna of the area should be analysed well.
Soil preparation. Characteristics of soil such as type of soil, organic matter content of soil, water holding capacity, soil lime ratio, salinity, pH value should be analysed and rehabilitation studies should be done to improve soil conditions.
Selection of appropriate types of plants. Natural and endemic plant species and plant species requiring less water should be used and the use of imported species should be avoided.
Creating lawns. In landscape architecture, lawns are very effective materials in creating aesthetic and functional spaces. However, maintenance of lawns requires
use of a high amount of water so designing lawns in connection with each other saves water.
Efficient irrigation. In landscaping arrangements, the main purpose is to give the plant the required amount of water with the right irrigation system. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the right irrigation system (drip irrigation system or sprinkler system) in order to save water by determining the water consumption of the plants. Trees, shrubs, groundcover plants should be watered by drip irrigation system and lawns should be watered by sprinkler system.
Mulch use. It should be applied in all planting operations in order to minimise evaporation, keep more water in the soil, control the soil temperature, prevent erosion and weed formation. When the requirements of the soil are met by natural means such as fertiliser and mulching, the formation of garden soil with rich content of humus and balanced mineral content is provided. Thus, over time, maintenance fees are reduced and self-sufficient, sustainable, permanent gardens are formed. Appropriate maintenance. Regular maintenance work such as weed cleaning, pruning, mowing, etc. is required to prolong useful life of the area.
In xeriscape arrangements, generally natural plant species, drought-resistant plants
that can grow with less water are used9 (Table 1). Using drought-resistant plants
in the xeriscape arrangement results in saving water, shortening the time spent on irrigation, fertilisation and planting, saving time and money paid for water bills, providing more habitat space for plants and animals, lower labour and
mainte-nance costs1.
In order to determine the soil properties in the area where xeriscape arrange-ment will be made, soil analyses are carried out regarding pH, EC, content of plant nutrients, soil structure. In line with the findings, soil improvement works are carried out if necessary. Soil analysis is important when deciding on which
Table 1. Plant species used in xeriscape arrangements7–12
Coniferous and
Decidious treesAcer campestre, Acer glabrum, Aesculus hippocastanum, Betula nigra, Buddleia davidii, Celtis orientalis, Cercis sp. Cupressus arizonica, Cupres-sus sempervirens, Cupressocyparis leylandii, Cotinus coggygria, Fraxinus american, Fraxinus texensis, Fraxinus ornus, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Ginkgo biloba, Hippophae rhamnoides, Ilex latifolia, Koelreuteria pan-iculata, Liriodendron tulipifera, Punica granatum, Picea pungens, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus strobus, Quercus macrocarpa, Quercus nigra, Quercus rubra, Robinia pseudoacaia, Sambucus nigra, Sambucus racemosa, Sophora japonica, Syringa vulgaris, Tamarix tetrandra, Taxodium disti-chum, Taxus baccata
Shrubs Aucuba japonica, Berberis thunbergi, Buddleia davidii, Camellia japonica, Caragana arborescens, Chaenomeles speciosa, Chamaecyparis lawso-niana, Colutea arborescens, Cotoneaster horizontalis, Cupressocyparis leylandii, Euonymus japonica, Euonymus alatus, Euonymus fortunei, Forsythia intermedia, Hibiscus syriacus, Hydrangea macrophylla, Jas-minum fruticans, Juniperus chinensis ‘Pfitzeriana’, Juniperus horizonta-lis, Juniperus sabina, Juniperus scopulorum, Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’, Ligustrum japonicum, Ligustrum obtusifolium, Ligustrum vulgare, Lonicera tatarica, Lycium barbarum, Mahonia aquifolium, Osmanthus fortunei, Pittosporum tobira, Philadelphus coronarius, Pinus mugo, Py-racantha coccinea, Rhododendron sp., Rhus glabra, Rhus typhina, Rhus trilobata, Rosmarinus officinalis, Sambucus nigra, Spiraea vanhouttei, Symphoricarpos albus, Symphoricarpus racemosus, Syringa vulgaris, Viburnum lantana, Viburnum opulus, Viburnum tinus, Vinca major, Vinca minor, Yucca filamentosa
Ground covers Campsis radicans, Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’, Juniperus
hori-zontalis, Lonicera sp., Petunia hybrida, Salvia splendens, Santolina chamaecyparissus, Sedum acre, Sedum sieboldii, Sedum spurium, Veronica liwanensis, Vinca minor ‘Alba’
Perfoliates Ajuga reptans, Hedera canariensis, Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’
Grass types Agropyron cristatum, Festuca arundinacea, Poa pratensis, Cynedon dactylon
Xerophytes are species of plants that can survive even in scarce water con-ditions and have natural distribution in arid and semi-arid climatic zones. These plants have developed various morphological features to withstand scarce water conditions. Besides having a perennial structure, the most prominent features are root systems that go deep (up to 30–40 m). In planting works used in xeriscape
arrangements, the following approaches providing water savings are adopted10,13,14:
– Preference for natural species;
– Preparing an appropriate irrigation program by grouping plant groups ac-cording to the amount of water they consume;
– Preference for groundcovers instead of large grass surfaces;
– Preference for non-invasive species that are resistant to diseases and pests as much as possible and allow development of other plants, in cases where use of plants other than natural species is required;
– Keeping soil temperature under control by covering the surface of the soil with mulch using organic and inorganic materials (including bark chips, wood shavings, pine needles, fruit skins, small size gravel);
– Designing lawns in a way that will provide practical and economic solutions. EXPERIMENTAL
As study area Selcuk University Alaaddin Keykubat Campus in Konya was chosen (Fig. 1). The campus is a public university affiliated to Selcuklu District of Konya City. The campus was established in 1979 on an area of 15 400 da, 20 km from the city centre. Until the end of the 2000s, Selcuk University experienced a rapid increase in physical, social, cultural and sporting fields, especially in the scientific field. As of 2011, the number of faculties within the university has increased to 24 (Ref. 15). To reveal feasibility of planting work carried out at in the campus in terms of basic principles and water saving approaches; water requirements of plants, irrigation methods of green areas and mulching have been investigated.
Fig. 1. Selcuk University Alaaddin Keykubat Campus18
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In xeriscape ‘planning and design’ studies, the plants are out of the centre and
creates beautiful, functional and sustainable areas where water is used effectively17.
Although there are no systematic xeriscaping solutions in the Selcuk University Campus, plant design solutions that are compatible with the xeriscaping principles are generally seen within the campus area. When the issue is considered in terms of structural design, it is observed that the solutions that can serve the protection of water and the cycle of water in nature are not sufficient. For example, while making the land use decisions for the campus area, it was seen that the hydrological structure of the area was not handled correctly, the surface flow was mostly interrupted by impermeable surfaces, and drainage nets and drainage points generally coincided with hard floors and buildings. There are no hard permeable floor coverings in the campus that canalise rain water directly to the soil. Also in the campus there are no applications for rain harvesting such as rain gardens.
Konya city centre land steppe soils are composed of brown and maroon
soils18. This ‘soil structure’, which is located in the campus area, is suitable for the
development of drought plants. However, the soils of the study area are generally well-drained, have normal permeability and good aeration.
When the campus area searched for the ‘efficient irrigation’ it is seen that the irrigation method used in the campus is mostly automatic and drip irrigation (Fig. 2). Manually irrigated areas are usually afforested areas that do not require regular irrigation and are created for the purpose of setting up woodland. This does not create any adverse situation for the water method of the area.
The most suitable water that plants can get from the environment for feeding is rain water that slowly penetrates the soil and is not hotter or colder than the soil or the plant. Regular irrigation protects the soil from soil collapse and soil cracking caused by irregular irrigation. Regular irrigation allows the healthy development
of perennial plants formed on the soil4. The irrigation method used on campus is
mostly automatic (in grass areas) and drip irrigation.
Although xerophytes generally consist of unattractive shrubs except flowering period, many ornamental plants such as Cupressus sempervirens, Festuca ovina and Ophiopogon japonicas can be used in landscape applications. In xerophytic planning areas, grasses are the most water-cnsuming plants. Evergreen grass species require regular watering and maintenance in summer and winter, so their water consumption is high. Grass species, such as Cynodon dactylon spend the winter asleep (rest period outside vegetation) and do not require much water during sleep periods. This makes maintenance easier. In areas that are not suitable for growing grass or where lawn maintenance is too costly and difficult, cover/meadow plants (alfa alfa, twitch, etc.) can also be used as mixtures. The meadow is made up of wild cover plants that are more resistant to grass and require less water. Wild spe-cies are more resistant to harsh conditions compared to culture spespe-cies because
When the ‘selection of appropriate types of plants’ searched in Selcuk
Uni-versity Campus, it can be observed that in the campus; grass plants are preferred
instead of cover plants. In addition, the grass seed mixture used was used in species with low water demand in terms of drought landscaping (Festuca arundinacea L., Festuca ovina). It also stated that irrigation of this species is limited and it would be right to use it in problematic and low maintenance areas.
In the campus, in sloping areas at the entrance to the campus, there are xero-phyte shrubs such as Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea and Juniperus sabina to protect soil and prevent surface flow (Fig. 3).
Since leaf size and pore numbers per unit area vary significantly in plants, plant water consumption also varies depending on plant type. Pinus nigra, which has low water demand compared to leafy trees, can be evaluated in the category of drought. Furthermore, in the campus, the fact that coniferous trees are generally used in afforestation areas in passive green areas around the campus is a positive approach in terms of xeriscaping.
Fig. 2. Drip irrigation sample in campus (original 2019)
Fig. 4. A sample of xeriscaping – rectorate building entrance (original 2019)
Even though xerophiytes are mostly local plants, they allow for landscape designs of different varieties taking into consideration the plant compositions and their form characteristics. This is due to the diversity of plant species that can be used for xeriscaping and the flexibility of xeriscaping principles to suit most landscape styles. In the campus, xerophytic plants are used in groups. Most of the selected plant species in the campus landscape have low or moderate water demand. Table 2 shows xerophytic plant species in Selcuk University Campus
and their water demand7–12.
Mulch made using natural materials, decays in time to contribute to the plant as fertiliser. Mulch, which can be formed from completely natural, partially natural or completely artificial materials, benefits the plant under all conditions.
The use of dried tree leaves is quite suitable in terms of xeriscaping. It is necessary to avoid mulch to be made with small pieces of stone (gravel) or simi-lar materials because it causes a simi-large amount of heat reflection in sunny places. Gravel is used in mulching areas in Selcuk University Campus.
Maintenance is one of the significiant issue on xeriscaping. Although drought
landscaping requires longer analysis than other styles, the implementation phase is progressing faster than others. As it is easier to apply, it saves time and con-struction-repair-maintenance costs. It maintains its quality and freshness for a long time because of its sustainable structure and ease of maintenance. Green areas, which are arranged with xeriscaping principles, are much longer lasting and more respectful to nature than a normal garden facility.
Table 2. Xerophytic plant species in Selcuk University Campus and their water demand20
Coniferous and Decidu-ous trees
Low moderate Pinus mugo, Robinia pseudoacaciai, Syringa vulgaris Moderate Aesculus hippocastanum, Crataegus sp., Fraxinus
pennsylva-nica, Malus spp., Picea pungens, Pinus nigra, Pinus strobus, Rhus typhina, Sophora japonica
Shrubs Low Berberis thunbergii, Juniperus chinensis ‘Pfitzeriana’, Phila-delphus microphyllus, Symphoricarpos albus
Low moderate Cotoneaster horizontalis, Cytisus scoparius, Forsythia x
intermedia, Juniperus Sabina, Yucca filamentosa
Moderate Buddleia davidii, Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald’n Gold’, Mahonia aquifolium, Spiraea japonica
Ground
covers Low Achille filipendula, Achillea millefolium, Ajuga reptans, Cerastium tomentosum, Delosperma cooperi, Gaillardia grandiflora, Gypsophila paniculata, Hemerocallis sp., Iris, Kniphofia uvaria, Leucanthemum, Liatris punctate, Oeno-thera caespitosa, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Rudbeckia hirta, Salvia officinalis, Santolina chamaecyparissus, Sedum acre, Sedum sieboldii, Sempervivum species, Solidago canadenis
Low moderate Echinacea purpurea, Gaura lindheimeri ‘Corrie’s Gold’,
Lavandula sp., Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’, Rudbeckia fulgida, Salvia nemorosa ‘Blue Queen’, Tradescantia
Moderate Campanula carpatica, Delphinium grandiflorum, Lysimachia clethroides, Monarda didyma, Nepeta x faassenii, Phlox subulata, Potentilla fruticose, Thymus
Perfoliates Low Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Moderate Campsis radicans, Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’, Mis-canthus sp.
Grass types Low moderate Festuca ovina ‘glauca’
Moderate: Festuca arundinacea, Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’, Miscanthus sp.
CONCLUSIONS
Although xeriscape works are thought to be less attractive than landscape designs made with other styles, they are more advantageous than other landscape styles in terms of their sustainability and natural appearance. Regardless of their scale, the principles of xeriscape benefit within the scope of landscape architecture profes-sional discipline. Due to climate change and changing climatic conditions, human beings should approach these natural landscape principles by realising that there is a necessity rather than a luxury view. Xeriscaping is more adopted because it reflects
the local culture and nature of local users. However, the use of xeriscaping water within the framework of ecological sustainability is an important form of design.
As a result of the study, in the case area it is seen that water sustainability is partially achieved. In order to make water use more effective and sustainable, the water action plan of the settlement should be prepared by taking into consideration the examples in the world with the participation of various professional disciplines (biologists, landscape architects, environmental engineers, agricultural engineers, geological engineers, etc.). In this action plan, in planning and design of open and green areas, climate, topography, soil, vegetation and materials used should be handled with a holistic approach. The ways of using permeable and semi-permeable materials in campus should be investigated. Rain gardens and roof gardens should be established on campus and rain water should be evaluated and economic usage of water should be ensured.
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Received 10 October 2019 Revised 1 November 2019
