This thesis seeks to explain how site-scale design decisions can assist retention of rare plant
communities concentrated in and near settled areas. To do so it focuses on a specific species
and development context. Explanations are sought through examination of case studies of landuse
developments in proximity to retained Garry oak plant communities located in the perimeter
of Victoria, British Columbia. In the study region, exponential declines in species populations,
health, and diversity of rare Garry oak ecosystems have been largely attributed to impacts from
land-use developments. Over the past century, land-use developments have transformed the
floral, spatial, structural and functional characteristics of the settled landscape. Isolated islands
of imperiled plant associations remain on protected bioreserves: for recruitment and
connectivity, these rare fauna rely on private-land greenways. Architectural teams have the
potential to influence the decision-making processes that create ecologically-vital greenspace on
private land, thereby enhancing survival for declining plant communities. Case-study evidence
for the importance of land-use decisions on diminishing Garry oak meadow is gathered through
vegetation surveys conducted on Garry oak meadow in proximity to six architectural projects on
Victoria's western edge. Observed changes in growth extensions are then categorized in relation
to human activities associated with built form, and correlated with principles from Landscape
Ecology. An ARC of design strategies, developed in primary research by K. D. Rothley is
adapted for architectural use as follows: firstly, AREA of a plant community is kept free of
encroachment by the orderly frame established around vegetation; secondly, RARE SPECIES
and habitat are identified with borders or signage; thirdly, CONNECTIVITY between retained
landscapes is secured by siting roads and buildings to minimize ecosystem fragmentation. To
effectively communicate preexisting landscape ecology principles, grouped under the ARC of
strategies, illustrations and key-word phrases are developed. These principles, when integrated
into architectural teams' structural knowledge, extend the architects' perceived role beyond
aesthetics and economic efficiency. Enhancing habitat value through retention or restoration of
rare ecosystems at the margins of suburban development, becomes an additional realm of
influence for professional teams designing the spatial configurations of peri-urban landscapes.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/10661 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Mackin, Nancy |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
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