Mixed Deck — All BLArch Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Topics Flashcards

the entirety of the environment's nonliving components as well as the group of species that make up a community.

Answer: Ecosystem

An ecosystem is defined as a biological community of interacting organisms (the biotic components) and their physical environment (the abiotic components). This includes both the living species and all the non-living factors like water, soil, and sunlight. The question's description perfectly aligns with the comprehensive definition of an ecosystem.

A 'brownfield' site in planning terminology is best defined as:

Answer: Previously developed land with known or suspected contamination that may complicate reuse

Brownfields are formerly industrial or commercial sites where real or perceived contamination hinders redevelopment, often eligible for EPA cleanup programs.

What does the term 'CIP concrete' mean in landscape construction specifications?

Answer: Cast-in-place concrete

CIP stands for 'cast-in-place' concrete — concrete that is poured and formed on-site in its final position, as opposed to precast concrete made off-site.

What is a bioswale primarily designed to do?

Answer: Channel and filter stormwater runoff through vegetation and soil

Bioswales are vegetated channels designed to slow, filter, and infiltrate stormwater runoff, removing pollutants through biofiltration and sedimentation.

Urban tree canopy contributes to sustainable design primarily by:

Answer: Providing shade, reducing heat island effect, intercepting rainfall, and improving air quality

Urban tree canopy reduces heat island effects through shading and evapotranspiration, intercepts rainfall to reduce runoff, sequesters carbon, and improves air quality simultaneously.

Which biogeochemical cycle is most directly affected by wetland destruction?

Answer: Nitrogen cycle

Wetlands are critical sites for denitrification, where bacteria convert nitrates back to atmospheric nitrogen, so their loss disrupts the nitrogen cycle.

What does 'FAR' (Floor Area Ratio) measure in urban development?

Answer: The ratio of total building floor area to the land area of the lot

FAR is calculated by dividing total building floor area by the site area, determining overall development intensity regardless of building footprint or height.

Which paving material is considered most permeable for stormwater management in parking areas?

Answer: Permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP)

Permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP) have open-graded joints filled with aggregate, allowing stormwater to infiltrate through the surface.

In streetscape design, what is the recommended minimum sidewalk clear zone width in most US urban standards?

Answer: 4 feet

Most US urban design standards require a minimum 4-foot unobstructed clear zone on sidewalks to meet ADA accessibility requirements.

Which type of mutualism involves a fungus and plant roots exchanging nutrients?

Answer: Mycorrhizal association

Mycorrhizal associations are mutualistic relationships where fungi colonize plant roots, improving water and nutrient uptake in exchange for carbohydrates.

The natural science that studies Earth's waters, their occurrences, circulation, distribution, chemical and physical properties, and their reactions to the living environment, including their relationship to all living things.

Answer: Hydrology

'Hydrology' is the scientific discipline that studies Earth's waters, encompassing their occurrence, movement, distribution, and chemical and physical properties. It also examines their interactions with the living environment, including their relationship to all living things. Geology focuses on the Earth's solid structure, while biology studies living organisms.

What is the primary benefit of permeable pavement in sustainable landscape design?

Answer: Allowing stormwater to infiltrate through the surface into the ground below

Permeable pavement allows stormwater to pass through the surface into underlying aggregate layers and then into the soil, reducing runoff volume and recharging groundwater.

What is the primary purpose of a 'detention basin' in stormwater management?

Answer: Temporarily hold stormwater and release it slowly to reduce peak flow

A detention basin temporarily stores stormwater during a rain event and releases it slowly, reducing downstream peak flow rates.

Regarded as the world's oldest continuously inhabited city

Answer: Damascus

Damascus, the capital of Syria, is widely recognized by historians and archaeologists as one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Its history spans millennia, with evidence of settlement dating back thousands of years. This makes it a significant historical and cultural center, earning its reputation as the oldest continuously inhabited city.

Under the ASLA Code of Professional Ethics, which obligation takes highest priority when conflicts arise?

Answer: Obligations to the public

ASLA's Code of Ethics places public health, safety, and welfare above client and professional obligations.

A landscape architect advertises their services claiming specific outcomes they cannot guarantee. This violates which ethical principle?

Answer: Honesty and truthfulness in communications

Advertising that makes unwarranted guarantees is deceptive and violates the profession's ethical standards for honest communication.

What is a 'retention pond' primarily designed to do differently from a detention basin?

Answer: Permanently hold a pool of water with controlled overflow

A retention pond permanently holds a standing pool of water with a controlled outlet, providing water quality treatment and often aesthetic amenity.

The initial garden city that Raymund Unwin and Barry Parker created:

Answer: Letcheworth

Letchworth Garden City, established in 1903, was the world's first garden city, designed by architects Raymond Unwin and Barry Parker. It was built according to Ebenezer Howard's principles, aiming to provide a healthy and beautiful environment for its residents. Letchworth served as a practical demonstration of the Garden City concept, integrating housing, industry, and green spaces.

In the context of urban ecology, which landscape feature most effectively reduces the urban heat island effect?

Answer: Tree canopy cover and green roofs

Tree canopy and green roofs reduce urban heat islands through evapotranspiration and shading, lowering surface and air temperatures significantly.

Famous urban designer and planner who once said,Make no tiny ideas, they have no magic to stir men's blood

Answer: Daniel Burnham

The quote, 'Make no tiny plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood,' is famously attributed to Daniel Burnham. He was a prominent American architect and urban planner, known for his comprehensive city plans, including the Plan of Chicago, which embodied his belief in grand, visionary urban development.