Ecological landscaping is the design, build, and maintenance of landscaped spaces while considering the natural ecology of an area. Ecological landscape designers create gardens that enhance the surrounding environment for the benefit of humans and all other life forms within the ecosystem too.
Ecological landscape designers may concentrate on rain gardens, pollinator and wildlife gardens, stream buffer restoration, prairie restoration, bioremediation, permeable paving, or bio-swales for example.
Ecological landscaping uses the wisdom learned from natural systems, and strives to create a balance between the building site and the natural environment. Land is forever altered when it and its ecosystem is disturbed while buildings, roadways, and conventional farmland is being constructed. However, giving thoughtful attention to the site, ecological landscapers can create outdoor spaces that are much less impactful on the environment and help to restore a natural ecosystem as much as possible.
There are many ways to employ this, but ecological landscapers may consider the native flora of the area, weather conditions, pollinators, wildlife, soil, air, and water quality, human health, sustainability, and resources. With proper design and implementation, a healthy landscape is built and maintained sustainably with each component of a landscape; the people, animals, plants, fungi, microorganisms, water, soil, insects, and wildlife.
Conserving the land and resources is an important part of ecological landscaping. The objectives of an ecological landscaper would be to reduce water consumption, preserve water quality, prevent soil erosion, protect biodiversity, reduce or eliminate the use of toxic chemicals, and minimize the use of non-renewable resources. By striving toward these goals, the ecological landscaper can create gardens that are not only environmentally responsible, but also enjoyable to experience.
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