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1.011.01The Ecology The Ecology

of of Planting DesignPlanting Design

The Biological ComponentsThe Biological Components

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The common thread that links us, as The common thread that links us, as landscape architects, to the environments landscape architects, to the environments we design, is we design, is plant materialsplant materials. .

It is important, therefore, to begin an It is important, therefore, to begin an understanding of the understanding of the elements of elements of plantingplanting design with the processes of design with the processes of plants as they occur in natural spaces.plants as they occur in natural spaces.

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Solving intricate design problems Solving intricate design problems with plants requires an understanding ofwith plants requires an understanding of

- - how plants livehow plants live- - where they livewhere they live

- - why they live where they dowhy they live where they do

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The The biological biological componentscomponents of the of the physical world physical world consist of a variety consist of a variety of interrelated of interrelated energy levels.energy levels.

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The ProducerThe ProducerThe first level is The first level is

green vegetationgreen vegetation, the part , the part of the system that collects of the system that collects and stores energy from the and stores energy from the sun. sun.

Green vegetationGreen vegetation thus becomes the producer thus becomes the producer level for the system.level for the system.

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The HerbivoresThe Herbivores The second level, the The second level, the herbivoresherbivores, ranges in , ranges in size from a parasitic size from a parasitic fungus to an elephant fungus to an elephant and is dependent upon and is dependent upon the first level for its the first level for its energy and food.energy and food.

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The CarnivoresThe Carnivores

Levels three and Levels three and four are both comprised four are both comprised of of carnivorescarnivores – animals – animals that eat herbivores. that eat herbivores.

Man, the Man, the omnivore, eats both omnivore, eats both plants and animals.plants and animals.

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The The DecomposersDecomposers

Level five is Level five is made up of bacteria, made up of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa fungi, and protozoa – the – the decomposersdecomposers – – which use dead which use dead plants and animals plants and animals for food and energy. for food and energy.

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The Basic CommunitiesThe Basic CommunitiesThe community of green vegetation known broadly as The community of green vegetation known broadly as

plants is divided into four groups or sub-communities known plants is divided into four groups or sub-communities known as as divisionsdivisions::

– Thallophyta (thallophytes) are non-chlorophyll-bearing comprised of bacteria, lichens, and fungi.

– Bryophyta (mosses and liverworts) are small green plants without flowers .

– Pteridophyta (ferns and fern families) are green plants with vascular tissue.

– Spermatophyta (seed plants) are distinct flowering plants and considered to be the most highly organized.