APPROACHING URBAN SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH RESTORATION ECOLOGY AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Abstract

Most cities are dominated by asphalt and concrete, which blocks the natural movement of rain water. Wetlands, riparian buffers, and roadsides are being lost or degraded in urban areas due to human development. Cities can be designed to benefit humans and nature by using techniques from green infrastructure and restoration ecology to improve urban sustainability. Parking lot M on McMaster University's west campus, constructed in 1968 on a former floodplain, directs the highly saline parking lot runoff into the adjacent Ancaster Creek. Natural groundwater sources along the surrounding hillslopes are directed into pipes under the parking lot and into the creek. A one-hectare riparian buffer restoration at lot M was used to assess the viability of depaving asphalt and establishing native plants through a vegetation study. Total native plant biomass was found to be similar to non-native plant biomass and was affected by road-salt salinity from the parking lot. Species richness per quadrat was higher for non-native plants, and greater for both non-native and native plants where less salt was present. Key hydrological fluxes were examined at the parking lot that could contribute to a proposed 0.6 hectare constructed wetland on the parking lot, known as “McMarsh.” Potential wetland water storage is in surplus year round, with an average storage of 265 mm/month. Successful restorations require maintenance following the establishment of native species. Management and maintenance of the restoration can help decrease non-native species. Engaging with the community through outreach and education on restoration projects is important for a successful restoration and increasing urban sustainability in cities.