Working with nature

The buzz for sustainability is driving up demand for more 'eco landscaping'. COD looks at what this means and how it can be applied to the Middle East.

The number of new outdoor projects under way has created huge demand for landscaping services in the region, but the flip side of this is it has also put the spotlight on how environmentally friendly the region's landscaping may be - or may not be.

There are no specific guidelines in the Middle East on ecological landscaping as yet, although the UAE is adapting the US LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines to the region.

Despite this, ecological landscaping, or eco landscaping as it is more commonly known, looks set to become a big regional trend in the next few years as developers increasingly seek any which way they can to demonstrate their green credentials.

What is ecological landscaping?

Ecological landscaping, according to the US-based Ecological Landscaping Association (ELA), is a method of designing, building and maintaining landscapes that considers the ecology of a site and creates spaces that enhance the surrounding environment.

"Ecological landscaping is a method, but also a philosophy," explains Kathy Sargent-O'Neill, board member of the ELA. "It's a design, installation and maintenance that is guarded by the natural ecosystem."

"An ecological landscaper is someone who would look at a site and would determine for a particular soil that is present on the site and for the wind and sun how that affects the site, what kind of things are growing there naturally and what other kinds of ornamental plants versus natives would have similar characteristics. And they would try to incorporate a design or maintenance or installation of a landscape that would work well in that site."

Right plant, right place

Putting the right plant in the right place is a key aspect of ecological landscaping, she adds. "You have to look at if this plant is going to behave itself and not do harm to the natural landscape."

Choosing plants that are appropriate to the local climate is particularly important.

For the Middle East, for example, it is important to choose plants that are naturally drought tolerant, such as plants that are thick leaved, which tend to be able to tolerate drier conditions.

Indigenous or native plants are the best suited to the desert environment, flower production engineer with the Dubai Municipality Hana Al Zarooni said at a presentation on indigenous plants during the recent International Plants Expo Middle East in Dubai.

"Indigenous plants have low water consumption and prevent desertification," she said, adding that it is illegal to cut down many indigenous plants in Dubai.