Researcher is trying to save biodiverse landscapes, one unkempt garden at a time
You've probably seen it before: A native garden starts out lush and intentional, then slowly unravels. A meadow is overtaken by weeds. Native grasses are cut down to sad little stumps. A pollinator garden somehow loses its pollinators by year two. The vision was there. The follow-through wasn't.
The article highlights the challenges faced by biodiverse landscapes when designers leave without ensuring long-term maintenance. Associate Professor Haven Kiers from UC Davis found that native gardens often deteriorate after the initial design phase due to lack of ongoing support. She coined the term "photographed and forgotten" to describe this phenomenon.
Kiers conducted research at the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden and collaborated with landscape architect Brenna Castro on a report. The findings revealed that design and maintenance often operate in silos, leading to suboptimal results. This is particularly evident in large public spaces with limited budgets, where maintenance crews lack experience with native plants.
The breakdown in communication between designers and maintenance staff results in inadequate plant care, such as improper pruning. The root cause is the lack of collaboration between the two groups. The report emphasizes that incorporating maintenance professionals into the design process from the beginning is crucial for the long-term success of biodiverse landscapes.
Budget constraints often limit funding for maintenance after construction is completed. The report suggests bringing maintenance staff into the design process, providing them with designated zones, and encouraging their participation in monitoring plant health. UC Davis itself serves as a case study in adaptive management, showcasing innovative solutions like using sheep to maintain vegetation in challenging areas.
The issue extends beyond public parks and universities, affecting homeowners who struggle with converting lawns to native plantings due to communication gaps and lack of knowledge. The report's companion, the "Groundcraft Guide," offers practical strategies for maintaining native landscapes, which could be adapted for residential use.
Kiers envisions a future where landscapes are designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically diverse, a concept she calls "reconciliation ecology."
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