Achieving climate resilience in urban landscapes: The art of xeriscaping

Climate change is a term we all know and try vehemently to combat. It is the long-term changes in temperatures and weather patterns. It is mainly caused due to the increased green house effect as a result of increased GHG (Greenhouse gas) emissions from fossil fuels, deforestation and several other activities.

Climate resilience is the ability of communities, ecosystems, and systems to anticipate, absorb, and recover from climate impacts like extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and shifting precipitation patterns. This is important to address when we are acting against climate change. Trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide, helping mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. This contributes to a larger-scale solution of reducing atmospheric carbon and limiting global warming, therefore making the urban landscapes much more interesting and promising aspect for combatting climate change.

Urban landscapes are much essential need for the community as well as environment due to the urban built environment. It provides aesthetic value for the living community and provides the connectivity to the natural environment. Urban heat island effect from the built areas aggravates heat in cities, but a sustainable landscape with trees, green spaces, and reflective surfaces can help lower temperatures while increasing green cover helps moderate microclimates and improves air quality.

Many urban landscapes have not been given much thought of sustainable landscaping concepts most of the time. We see how exotic plant species with colorful and vibrant flowers and leaves are given preference in urban environments. But the cost of maintenance and the impact on the natural systems are often unaware to many.

Sustainable landscaping strategies play a key role in enhancing climate resilience by using natural processes and resource-efficient designs to reduce vulnerabilities and increase the capacity to adapt. Xeriscaping is one of the most utilized sustainable landscaping practices in the world that can be helpful in guiding urban landscapes to become climate resilient.

Xeriscaping?is the practice of designing?landscapes?to?reduce?or?eliminate?the need for?irrigation. This means xeriscaped landscapes need little to no water beyond what the natural?climate?provides. This is a very important element of landscaping in the regions with hot dry climates. With the climate change extreme weather conditions occur and prolonged drought conditions affect the landscapes more than the extreme rain conditions. The aesthetics as well as the vegetation growth is directly affected by drought conditions. Therefore, xeriscaping plays a big role in climate resilience in urban landscapes.

Various associations and literature consider different principles when it comes to xeriscaping. However, there are 7 key principles considered commonly by everyone.

1.????? Planning and designing

A plan provides direction and guidance and will ensure that water-saving techniques are implemented in the landscape. From a hand made sketch to the sophisticated computer modeled 3D drawing, you can choose any convenient method to map out the existing elements on the plot, the expected planting area, the patterns and elements to highlight etc. Xeriscapes can be divided into zones with different water requirements. In the designs these areas can be spotted and can be planned with the existing terrain features.

2.????? Soil improvement/ preparation

Different soils have different properties such as water holding capacity, infiltration rates, compaction etc. The soils need improvements such as adding organic matter compost or different soils to prepare it for the plants as suitable.

3.????? Efficient irrigation

Although a xeriscape is supposed to be a very low water use landscape, plants need a minimum amount of water to survive, based on changing climate conditions. So there need to have an efficient irrigation system that minimizes the water wastage. Drip irrigation is considered as a very efficient irrigation system rather than sprinkler system due to the evaporation and wind that could lead to waste the water.

4.????? Plant selection

When selecting plants for a xeriscape, it is always given priority to native or naturalized plants and drought resistant plants. Native or naturalized plants are healthier and mostly self-sufficient in terms of water and nutrients since they are growing in their native environment. Selecting drought resistant plants will ensure the reduced water consumption. Planting a variety of plants with different heights, color and textures creates interest and beauty.

5.????? Mulches

Mulches provide protection to soil water evaporation. This will reduce the loss of water from soil. Mulching a large area or just around the base of plants covers the soil will also provide different aesthetic appearance while helping to lock in moisture that would otherwise readily evaporate. Furthermore, mulch will maintain a cooler soil temperature, reduce soil erosion from wind and water, and minimize the growth of weeds. ?Adding organic mulches to soil improves its structure, increases water retention, and provides essential nutrients, making plants more resilient to climate stress.

6.????? Turf alternatives

Turf grass is a huge water demanding landscape element. In xeriscaping we intend to use alternative plant covers for turf that are less water intensive. Since turf is a good method to reduce soil erosion using a species of turf that requires less water and limiting the areas that turf is used have to be considered in xeriscaping.

7.????? Maintenance

Although the xeriscape is supposed to be low maintenance, it still requires a level of maintenance ??to keep the garden and the plants in a good condition. Regular weeding, pruning and checking for pest infestations should be done. Mulch should be replenished from time to time.

While xeriscaping can support an urban landscape in climate resilience, following are several other strategies that can be used in sustainable landscaping and can be integrated in xeriscaping.

• Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater reduces dependency on municipal water supplies and provides an alternative source for irrigation.
• Permeable Surfaces: Sustainable landscapes use permeable materials for pathways, driveways, and patios, allowing rainwater to filter through the soil, replenishing groundwater, and reducing stormwater runoff that could cause flooding.
• Rain Gardens and Bioswales: These are designed to capture and absorb excess rainwater, helping to prevent flooding and erosion. They filter pollutants from runoff, improving water quality.
• Green Roofs and Vertical Gardens: These landscape designs help insulate buildings, reduce the urban heat island effect, and decrease energy demand for cooling.
• Strategic Tree Planting: Trees and shrubs planted around buildings can provide shade and act as windbreaks, reducing the need for air conditioning in summer and heating in winter.
• Pollinator Gardens: Sustainable landscapes can support biodiversity by creating habitats for bees, butterflies, and birds, which are crucial for pollination and maintaining healthy ecosystems
• Edible Landscaping: Growing food within sustainable landscapes reduces the need for long transportation chains, promotes local food security, and fosters climate-resilient communities by enhancing self-sufficiency.

By combining thoughtful design with resource-efficient practices, sustainable landscaping strengthens resilience to climate change, promotes environmental sustainability, and supports ecosystems. Along with achieving climate resilience, it will provide advantages such as less maintenance?requirement, water saving, minimal use of pesticides and fertilizers, value addition to properties, providing habitats for wildlife and saves time and money in the long run.