How the LEED Certification for New Construction is Improving/Affecting

Site Ecology

By Gilberto Rosado, P.E.EVPP 607

BackgroundThe primary cause of species extinction is

habitat destruction (development, agricultural)Grasslands now cover only 12% of Earth’s

surface (Used to be 42%)Aquatic ecosystems are been affected by

runoff that contains contaminants because of decrease in pervious areas

Deforestation has affected biodiversity around the world

Buildings consume more than 13% of all the water produced in the United States any given day.

Background (cont’d) In the United States, buildings consume 40%

of total energy, 72% of electricity, consume 13% of potable water, and produce 39% of CO2 emissions.

30% of the water produced in a day (26 billion gallons) is destined to outdoor uses and landscaping. (EPA, 2009)

More than 160 million tons of waste is generated by construction activities each year. (EPA, 2007)

Impervious surface coverage is 83,347 square kilometers (75% of the area of the state of Ohio) (NOAA, 2007)

Green Building TrendDuring the last 10 years “green buildings”

have become very popularMany systems have been developed

worldwide:◦ LEED◦ Green Globes◦ Green Star◦ BREEAM (Building Research Environment

Assessment Method Consultancy)

LEED is the most popular in the United States

What is LEED?LEED (Leadership in Energy and

Environmental Design) – evaluates the performance of buildings, homes, schools, etc.

Assigns certification levels that translate to environmental friendliness of a facility.

USGBC (United States Green Building Council)

Types of Certification

LEED areas that can affect site ecology

Site SelectionFirst Division in the LEED process.Aims to take pressure off green sites.Gives Priority to brown fields.Prohibits construction near wetlands,

rivers, floodplains.

Site Selection CasesChicago Center for Green

Technology◦Constructed on 17 acres of

contaminated soils and debris (after cleaned)

◦Used as an illegal dump site for chemicals and construction debris

Site Selection CasesSouth Waterfront Redevelopment Project

◦Developed in 130 acres of contaminated site.◦One of the biggest redevelopment projects in

the United States.

Sustainable SitesHow does it help the Ecology of a

site?◦Protects green areas and its species.◦Helps architects and engineers

select sites that can be restored.◦New plants and species can be

reintroduced.◦Gives incentive to select sites away

from water bodies.

Protection and Restoration of HabitatCredit 5.1 limits areas of disturbance around

the building constructed.Master plan should be created to protect

plants and species.Clearly delineates protected areas. If using a pre-developed site, 50% of the

area has to be restored.Only the use of native species is allowed.Priority is given to species requiring no

irrigation or maintenance.Help of an Ecologist is “suggested”

Protection and Restoration of Habitat (Cont’d)George Mason University

◦5 Trees were relocated in 2009 from a construction site.

Protection and Restoration of Habitat (Cont’d)Common measures used in

construction:

Tree Preservation

Detention ponds to prevent soil erosion

Protection and Restoration of Habitat (Cont’d)How does it help the Ecology of a

Site?◦Protects areas that are not needed

for construction.◦Protects trees and species already

existing on site.◦Creates a plan to identify species

that can be reintroduced.

Water Quantity/Quality ControlCredits 6.1 & 6.2 refers to Quantity and Quality

ControlAims to minimize sedimentation in storm waterMinimize the amount of water and the rate in

which is dischargedStorm Water Pollution Prevention Plans and

National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems are required

Measures Include:◦ Sedimentation Ponds◦ Silt Fences◦ Bio-retention ponds◦ Sediment Traps

Water Quantity/Quality Control

Silt fence over Inlet

Bio-Retention Swale

Sedimentation Pond

Water Quantity/Quality ControlHow does it affect the Ecology of

a site?◦Reduces turbidity in the water

entering streams.◦Eliminate contaminants from

construction activities.◦Reduce the rate of runoff in rainfall

events.◦Incentivize the use of green areas

(i.e. bio-retention swale)

Heat Island effectHeat Island Effect is the difference in

temperature that is caused by materials used in construction as roofing, asphalt, and others.

The difference in temperature between a City and a rural area can be of up to 22 degrees Fahrenheit.

Credits 7.1 & 7.2 deal with minimizing Heat Island Effect

Heat Island Effect causes:◦ Increase in energy consumption◦ Elevated emissions and pollution◦ Change in comfort for human and species◦ Increase in water runoff temperature

Heat Island Effect

Heat Island EffectHow does LEED try to minimize

Heat Island Effect?◦Incentivize the use of Green Roofs◦Add tree cover to open areas◦Use roofing materials with high

reflectance index◦Use cool pavements.

Heat Island Effect

Green Roof Roof with Hi Solar Reflectance Index

Cool Pavements

Heat Island EffectHow does it affect the Ecology of

a site?◦LEED helps architects to provide

measures to reduce the temperature of a site, making it more comfortable for birds and insects.

◦Pollution and Emissions can be reduced in the long run, helping the air quality.

Light PollutionLight pollution is the excessive or obstructive

light that limits the visibility of the night sky. It interferes with animal physiology. It affects how insects navigate at night.Changes pollination in plants that depend on

night insects.For migratory birds, light pollution can cause

disorientation.For sea turtles, it can change the direction in

which new hatchings swim once born.

Light PollutionMeasure that LEED suggests:

◦Reduction of light leakage from the interior of buildings

◦Reduce the amount of lighting used in common areas

◦Use light fixtures that redirect its light beam downwards.

Light Pollution

Light Pollution

Light poles use for light pollution Light bollards for exterior

Areas that LEED Cover (Cont’d)Reduction in Water Use (up to 50%)Reduction of Runoff Water (up to

90%)◦Protection of marine habitats

Use of native plants in landscaping◦Reintroduction of local species

Material Reuse and RecyclingCertified Wood

FSC – Forest Stewardship Council

Something Missing? Initial Ecological Assessment

◦ General Assessment of the characteristics of the site.

◦ Check for ecological trends.◦ Identify regional species and

goals

Something Missing?Plant and Animal List

◦ A tally should be made of all the plant species, and insects that live currently in the area.

◦ Identify how these species will be affected by the construction activities.

◦ Determine if re-introduction of species is feasible/warranted by the type of project.

Something Missing?Mitigation Plan

◦ Determine local and regional conservation targets.◦ Analyze if the project can or will have landscape

connectivity.◦ Identify the spatial extent of the areas affected in

relation to its surroundings.◦ Identify the additive impact in habitats caused by

the project.◦ Determine what type of mitigation effort shall be

included in the project.

RecommendationsInclude Species Inventory in

rating systemIncentivize the re-introduction of

native animal speciesCreate a mitigation planInclude ecological evaluation in

every project silver or higher

ConclusionConstruction project will always have an effect in the

Ecology of a site.As determined in a study in the UK, current green

building certification programs found:◦ There is no common approach to assessment of biodiversity across the principal

sustainability tools.◦ Sustainability tools could be improved to assess biodiversity in a more meaningful

way, which better assesses the value of habitats that are gained and lost.◦ Improvements could be made to the tools which focus users on making a genuine

contribution to local ecological value, rather than unintentionally encouraging a ‘tickbox’ approach.

◦ Sustainability tools do not encourage the industry to appropriately monitor and therefore meaningfully maintain and manage habitats created through development.

The LEED certification program is a “good start” towards being ecologically conscious.

Effort needs to be put towards developing programs that include ecological assessments.

THANKS!