Nature Environment and Pollution Technology

Yichuan Zhang ¹, Jiangping Wang ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, CN

Abstract

Low-carbon green space is an integral part of low-carbon communities. It promotes the sustainable development of communities by increasing "carbon sinks" and reducing "carbon sources". This article analysed the direct and indirect carbon emissions resulting from green space construction in communities, and proposed the improvement strategies from the three perspectives, planning, design and technology applications in low-carbon green space. The planning of low-carbon green space involves increasing carbon sinks, improving the quality of community green space, optimizing the night view of green space and selecting local seedlings. The design can incorporate low-carbon materials and interplanting designs. The low-carbon green space application technology can include vertical greening, green roofs, rainwater utilization, energy-saving lighting and waste recycling. The sustainable development of communities can be effectively promoted through the low-carbon construction of green space.

Keywords

Low-Carbon Green Space, Carbon Sink, Waste Recycling, Sustainable Development.

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Yichuan Zhang ¹, Lifang Qiao ¹, Jiangping Wang ²

Affiliations
1 School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, CN
2 School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, CN

Abstract

‘Sponge city construction’ has led to higher requirements for rainwater absorption in urban green space. When the rainwater absorption capacity of typical underlying layers in urban green space, i.e., plants and soil, is limited, mulch can often make up for the deficiency in the rainwater absorption capacity of the green space. This study focuses on four types of mulch: loose pine cone scales, broadleaf oak bark, coconut shells, and sawdust, and conducts rainwater harvesting to measure their rainwater retention efficiencies. The results are as follows: in terms of mass, coconut shells weighed 3.87 times their original mass after absorption; in terms of volume, coconut shells had the highest absorption rate per unit volume at 0.65 mL/cm³. Sawdust reached an absorption rate per unit volume of 0.58 mL/cm³. Within the first 10 minutes of rainwater harvesting, sawdust reached its maximum retention volume of 98.7%, followed by coconut shells, oak bark, and loose pine cone scales at 76.6%, 75.1%, and 65.7%, respectively. Highly absorptive mulch is conducive for enhancing rainwater retention, and urban green space and mulch rainwater retention provide greater flexibility for coping up with intense rainstorms. Therefore, mulch has broad application prospects in urban green space, especially those in semi-arid regions. This study recommends adopting mulch as the third underlying layer after soil and plants in major urban green space.

Keywords

Urban Green Space, Mulch, Rainwater Retention, Sponge City Construction.

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Yichuan Zhang ¹, Lifang Qiao ¹, Jiangping Wang ²

Affiliations
1 School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, CN
2 School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, CN

Abstract

Turf and ground cover plants are major components of ground coverage of urban green spaces. Canopy interception is a critical link in the atmospheric water circulation of plant elements. Leaf area index (LAI) and degree of canopy cover are major factors affecting canopy interception of grass coverage. Six plant varieties in Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China, namely, Festuca arundinacea, Trifolium repens, Oxalis corymbosa, Liriope angustissima, Zephyranthes candida and Iris tectorum were experimented in this study. Their LAI, interception capacity per unit leaf area, and degree of canopy cover were measured using weighing-scanning, soaking and image processing methods, respectively, with the interception capacity per unit area calculated. Our results show that Liriope angustissima, Oxalis corymbosa and Iris tectorum have comparatively high LAI; Zephyranthes candida and Festuca arundinacea have comparatively high interception capacity per unit leaf area; Liriope angustissima, Iris tectorum and Oxalis corymbosa have comparatively high interception capacity per leaf area; Oxalis corymbosa, Trifolium repens and Liriope angustissima have comparatively high degree of canopy cover. We conclude that a comprehensive consideration of LAI and degree of canopy cover of grass plants is preferred in urban greening plans, in order to achieve better performance of canopy interception. This conclusion also provides a reference to stormwater management and ecological water usage in urban green spaces.

Keywords

Turf, Ground Cover, Leaf Area Index, Degree of Canopy Cover, Rainwater Interception.

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