Water Conservation with Plants

Within the landscape, a series of depressed spaces and bioswales, create a new urban marsh, a historic reference to the nearby fens.  The bioswales located in the The Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex (ISEC) plaza are designed to collect, filter, and infiltrate storm water runoff from the impervious areas of the plaza and streetscape.  This is achieved through a series of plants and soils that can withstand moisture levels ranging from flooded to dry.  The primary benefits of these bioswales are the improved quality and reduced volume of site runoff, thereby reducing burden on the municipal system.  The bioswales can also be used for snow storage in the winter and be slowly infiltrated.

Various indigenous and drought resistant plantings contribute to a resilient ecosystem and reduce the need for irrigation.  The bioswale plant community includes trees and herbaceous plants that can withstand moisture levels ranging from flooded to dry.