I would like to know, where I can find a good source for the specific landscape factors (species-, density- and microclimate factor) of plants for the calculations in the baseline case.
Is it even necessary to specify the precise factors for the plants in the baseline case, or is it enough to classify the used plants in the major vegetation type according to the table in the reference guide?
Especially, in my case I am searching for ivy (Hedera helix). Any ideas?
Thanks!
Susann Geithner
PrincipalEmerald Built Environments
1297 thumbs up
December 5, 2012 - 12:10 pm
The table in the LEED reference guide is your guidance. Use what is noted in there for the baseline case and as well for the design case. For instance if your landscaping for the baseline case typically is mostly turf grass and a bit of shrubs, I would select the turf grass as 0.7/1.0/1.0 shrubs 0.5/1.0/1.0 for the baseline case. In the design case most of the time only the area changes unless you have a particularly dense turf grass or shrub, ect. There is no clear rule here for certain plants. The best way to go about it is to ask your landscape planer or biologist to give guidance.
As for the ivy, I would classify it as groundcover (0.5/1.1/1.0). But keep in mind this is an invasive plant. Would be my first choice for other reasons.