Landscape Design Sustainable and Ecological Landscape Design

Question 1

What is a rain garden in sustainable landscape design?

Accepted Answer

A shallow depression planted with water-tolerant plants to capture and filter stormwater runoff

Answer

A rain garden is a planted depression that captures roof or pavement runoff, allowing it to infiltrate into the soil over 24 to 48 hours while plants filter pollutants.

Question 2

What does LEED stand for and how does it relate to landscape design?

Accepted Answer

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — a green building certification that includes site and landscape criteria

Answer

LEED is the US Green Building Council's green building rating system; it includes significant landscape and site credits for water efficiency, habitat, and heat island reduction.

Question 3

What is the urban heat island effect and how can landscape design mitigate it?

Accepted Answer

Cities are hotter than surrounding rural areas; mitigated by trees and reflective surfaces

Answer

The urban heat island effect occurs when built surfaces absorb and radiate heat; strategic tree planting and cool paving materials reduce ambient temperatures significantly.

Question 4

What is a bioswale designed to do in a sustainable landscape?

Accepted Answer

Slow, filter, and infiltrate stormwater runoff through vegetation and engineered soil

Answer

A bioswale is a vegetated channel engineered to slow stormwater flow, filter pollutants through the root zone, and promote groundwater recharge.

Question 5

What is a pollinator garden designed to provide?

Accepted Answer

Food and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects

Answer

Pollinator gardens feature diverse, flowering native and non-invasive plants that provide nectar, pollen, and nesting habitat for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Landscape Design Practice Test

Landscape Design Practice Test

Landscape Design Sustainable and Ecological Landscape Design