Has anyone had success contending that exotic plants in the project area should be counted for credit (or partial credit) because they are providing functional benefits related to habitat protection, such as erosion control and soil stabilization, animal food sources, shade, windbreaks, temperature regulation, soil moisture control, oxygen production, water infiltration, cover from predators, and in the case where exotics exhibit site specific adaptations where natives would not survive, etc.?
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Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11474 thumbs up
March 11, 2011 - 12:01 am
I haven't been in this situation, but I doubt you will find that anyone has had success with this. The LEED standards for native/adapted plants are fairly strict. However, it may be a good nudge to LEED to try it! The last idea, about exotics being specially adapted, seems like the most likely one of the ideas you gave. If you do try it, let us know how it goes.
Matthew Perna
ArchitectCMA
32 thumbs up
March 11, 2011 - 11:21 am
Thanks for your thoughts Tristan. I will let the forum know how it goes.
American University
SustainabilityAmerican University
56 thumbs up
December 8, 2011 - 1:50 pm
Similar question for us - we use plants that are technically native to Korea (partially as a cultural exchange exercise), but since we are in the same latitude as Korea, they are well adapted to our region. Is the term "adaptive" then somewhat open to interpretation? Or is it really limited to just "cultivars of natives."
Thanks.
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11474 thumbs up
December 16, 2011 - 11:16 pm
Emily, I think LEED's definition of adapted vegetation would allow for what you describe, although it is always up to some interpretation.