Biocity

The Bio(Diversity)City People + Urban Growth + Wildlife BioDiversity- The Biocity intends to increase

habitat diversity –for both wildlife and people by designing a biologically diverse land area where there are several species, and human activities with an equal distribution. This is done so that no one plant or animal species, nor human socio-economic activity uncharacteristically dominates above all others.

A Nightmare on planet Earth: Right now, we are living in ‘The sixth Great Mass Extinction’ of Earth’s history. Globally, scientists predict that by the end of this century, half of this planet’s wild-species will be extinct. The culprit is human habitat development; as our cities sprawl outward, the wildlands next to our homes have decreased in acreage. This project explores a solution -the idea that human development can exist intermingled with the wildlife ecosystems and both can blend together to become a bio city.

Bio

dive

rsty

Los

s

A BioDiversity Nightmare: If we dont start now there will be a sunrise, one morning, where there are no songbirds to greet the dawn. There be will an afternoon, when there are no butterflies dancing upon the winds. There will come a midnight with a moon full in the sky, but there will be no coyote songs.

There will be questions too; young eyes will look towards us, the stewards of their land. What do we say when our children turn to us and ask, “Why are we so alone? Where did all the butterflies go?”

Will our answer be, “We forgot to build them homes too?”

A H

ome

all A

lone

?

Proximity- As wildlife biodiversity diminishes, if wildlife is to be protected, its habitat must be integrated into locations where people can see it, people can interact with it, and people can become familiar with wildlife and its habitat can enrich their lives.

Experience - There is no greater teacher then personal experience. If natural places are to be preserved then it is imperative that people are able to walk among the trees, touch the earth, listen to the birds and find kinship with other living things. For an individual can ever understand what loss is, until they have experienced what they are loosing.

Education - The only way the ‘natural look’ is going to be accepted by the public, who see it as messy, is through education. The site incorporates signs, banners, and plant plaques to make information available to the public. So that they too can realize that nature and natural are designs too.

10

10

Kortsen Rd

Casa Grande Maracopa Highway

Pinal

Trekell Rd

Rodeo

Arizona has a growing problem: Arizona literally has a problem with growth, the state has grown from 5.1 Million in 2000 and is projected to be at 16 Million by 2050, the vast majority of that growth has been in the Urban SunBelt Corridor. Pinal County, the project site, sits directly in the middle of all this growth and is one of the fastest growing counties within Arizona with an 11% growth rate.

For wildlife, this loss of riparian habitat will put increasing pressure on at least 120 species of concern within Arizona.

Phoenix

Tucson

Study Area

Pinal County, Az

Pinal County Arizona -Urban Sunbelt Corridor-

Riparian Network Counties of: Cochise > Pinal > Pima > Maracopa

River Network San pedro > Gila > N Branch Santa Cruze Wash > Santa Rosa

Pinal County, Riparian Network

North Branch of the Santa Cruze Wash

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Dominant Water Use: homestead with small farmsConditions of River water: perennial river Channel condition: Semi-natural riparian condition, perennial river condition.Vegetation condition:

The problem: A ecological history - and the story of development, water removal, and loss of riparian habitat

Dominant Water Use: Large agriculture farms -Tucson industrialization (1880) removes waterConditions of River water:1900 - perennial rivers where the water no longer flowed.Channel condition: Channelized to the unconfined aquiferVegetation condition:

Desert-ScrubMesquite BosqueCottonwood Willow Water

Desert-ScrubMesquite Bosque

Cottonwood Willow Water

Dominant Water Use: Industrial farms, Pinal County Growth Conditions of River water: No surface water- waterlevels at 20’-30’ below the surface in confined aquiferChannel condition: Widening channels due to increased stormwater flowsVegetation condition:


Cottonwood Willow

Dominant Water Use: Industrial farms, Pinal County Growth Conditions of River water: No surface water- waterlevels at 30’- 50’ below the surface in artesian aquiferChannel condition: Widened, eroded, 90% loss of habi-tat spaceVegetation condition:


Cottonwood Willow

Riparian Conditions Pre 1800

Riparian Conditions 1880- 1912

Riparian Conditions 1912 -1940

Riparian Conditions 1960 -201080 p

erce

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f Ari

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Wild

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The problem: An urban history- the story of development, roadways and wildlife fragmentation

Historical Growth on the Santa Cruze River

1930

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Fragmentation

Looking at land fragmentation

In the broadest way, habitat fragmentation is the physical fracturing of once continuous habitat, often by man-made modifications to the biological land surface (including water, vegetation, bare soil) into smaller sized habitat lands called patches. For wildlife these patches are often so small that the land can no longer sustain the ecological interactions between different wildlife types, thus this land often has little value for wildlife as habitat.

In addition, fragmentation of land into patches means that as interior space becomes smaller in size, edge conditions are able to take over; this reduces the populations of rare interior species and makes room for common generalist and ‘weedy species’.

As Interior habitat and species Decreases Edge habitat and species Increases

Interior habitat Edge habitat

Santa Cruze River Agriculture growth Urban growth

Santa Cruze River 1930 Santa Cruze River 1970

1950

1970

1990

2012

Protect from Future Development

Preserve as undeveloped

Potential Rehabilitation Project Locations

DEMOSTRATION OF THESIS: For Space and Width of the corridor

P1- From 2 to( 9 of 9) Widlife Orders Land: Protect and Preserve Water: Maintain Surface Water level Plants: (Bank zone) from mesquites to Herbaceous shrubs P2- From 0 to (9 of 9) Wildlife orders Land: Protect and preserve Water: Find 4’ Surface water Plants: (Bank Zone) from mesquites to Herbaceous shrubs P3- From 0 to ( 17 of 19 ) Wildlife Orders From: 0’ to 670’ -Golf course wildlife project- Water: Find 5’ Surface water Plants: (Bank Overbank, Toe) Cottonwoods

P4- From 4 to (19 of 19) Wildlife Orders Land: Protect from future development Water: Find 5’ Surface water Plants: (Bank Overbank, Toe) Cottonwoods P5- From 1 to (5 of 19) Wildlife Orders Land: At 223’ Unable to remove housing Water: Find 5’ Surface water Plants: (Bank Overbank, Toe) P6- From 1 to (19 of 10) Wildlife Orders Land: Protect from future development Water: Find 5’ Surface water Plants: (Bank Overbank, Toe) Cottonwoods

P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6

The problem: Removing the link - removing the wildlife

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”

Reality Space mapping Wildlife Capacity C Rivers: 16 of 19 Wildlife Taxa Wildlife Capacity D Rivers: 9 of 19 Wildlife Taxa Reality Water loss Wildlife Capacity C Rivers: 10 of 19 Wildlife Taxa Wildlife Capacity D Rivers: 2 of 19 Wildlife Taxa Reality Plant zone loss Wildlife Capacity C Rivers: 7 of 19Wildlife Taxa Wildlife Capacity D Rivers: 6 of 19 Wildlife Taxa

C R

iver

s * D

Riv

ers

Amphibian (frog)

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n W

ildlif

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rder

s

Amphibian (Toad)

Reptile –Lizard

Reptile– Snake

Turtles

Wildlife present in Waterway Type

The Difference Between Reality and Theory Biodiversity Capability

Carnivores

Rodents

Rabbits

Common Birds

Owls

Waterbirds

Humming Birds

Ducks

Ground birds

Woodpeckers

Hawk / Eagle

Hooved mammals

Bats

Beavers

C R

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s * D

Riv

ers

C R

iver

s * D

Riv

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C R

iver

s * D

Riv

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Theoretical Biodiversity Capability

Wildlife NOT present in Waterway Type

Reality: Loss of Water

Reality: Loss of plants

Reality: Loss of Space

Pinal County : Open space

Pinal County: City as an obstacleLegend

Pinal County :Open space, and riparian rivers

Connections Other Rivers

Legend Open Space Santa Cruze River

Urban Development

Wildlife Network: riparian rivers and wildlife openspace

City as an Obstical: The city, open space and riparian rivers

wildlife corridors: Important riparian rivers wildlife corridors: Riparian river corridor site

The three wildlife density maps, Mammals, Birds, Reptiles (three dark maps) are compiled from the wildlife density maps, such as the orange Pinal map above. The Green map to the right is compiled of all wildlife densities.It contains the data of all animal types and shows (in red) the most likely connection points for wildlife on the site.

The purpose of the the wildlife desnity maps is to examine the site (lt blue) ‘North Branch of the Santa Cruze River’ and see where each type of studied wildlife populations (Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles) is most likely to travel to the site and come in contact with the Riparian zone in question.

Casa Grande

Pinal County: Wildlife densities

Wildlife High level Other Rivers


Wildlife Low level Urban Development

Pinal County: Bird density Pinal County:Reptile density

Pinal County: Wildlife Corridors and Pathways

Pinal County: Corridoors and pathways

Not to scale Not to scale

Pinal County:Mammal density

Not to scale

Wildlife connection points

The city of Casa Grande

Legend North Branch Of the Santa Cruze Wash

Wildlife Corridor: Birds. Mammals, and Reptiles

Not to scale

Not to scale

Wildlife corridoors: why being in the middle matters

The three wildlife density maps, Mammals, Birds, Reptiles (three dark maps) are compiled from the wildlife density maps, such as the orange Pinal map above. The Green map to the right is compiled of all wildlife densities.It contains the data of all animal types and shows (in red) the most likely connection points for wildlife on the site.

The purpose of the the wildlife desnity maps is to examine the site (lt blue) ‘North Branch of the Santa Cruze River’ and see where each type of studied wildlife populations (Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles) is most likely to travel to the site and come in contact with the Riparian zone in question.

Casa Grande

Pinal County: Wildlife densities

Wildlife High level Other Rivers


Wildlife Low level Urban Development

Pinal County: Bird density Pinal County:Reptile density

Pinal County: Wildlife Corridors and Pathways

Pinal County: Corridoors and pathways

Not to scale Not to scale

Pinal County:Mammal density

Not to scale

Wildlife connection points

The city of Casa Grande

Legend North Branch Of the Santa Cruze Wash

Wildlife Corridor: Birds. Mammals, and Reptiles

Not to scale

Not to scale

The site (North Branch of the Santa Cruze wash) is currently under threat of removal from urbanization. On a close up view, the area doesn’t appear very important, because it doesn’t directly connect wildlands together. However, looking at the site on a regional scale reveals the importance of this stretch of river; it’s the middle of a connection between two larger riparian networks, both of which connect to large wildlands.

Shown are the three groups of Pinal County Analysis maps, used to create the below corridor analysis map. These maps were used to examine the site and to determine that the removal of the site would indeed be a hindrance to wildlife populations because the loss of this corridor would create meta-populations on either side of Pinal County.

Pinal County : Open space

Pinal County: City as an obstacleLegend

Pinal County :Open space, and riparian rivers

Connections Other Rivers


Urban Development

Wildlife Network: riparian rivers and wildlife openspace

City as an Obstical: The city, open space and riparian rivers

wildlife corridors: Important riparian rivers wildlife corridors: Riparian river corridor site

Understanding regional pathways: How wildlands connect with rivers and where the city becomes a blocade

Understanding riparian networks How removal of the Site will disrupt riparian movement coridoors

Understanding wildlife densities How wildlife densities reveal travel pathways

Why this location is important to wildlife

NO CAP Canal Water

NO Aquifer pumping

YES Effluent Water YES Urban Stormwater

Water Fragmentation: Finding water

Stormwater: North Branch of the Santa Cruze Wash

Pinal County: Proposed Effluent pipe Map content shows the 100 year flood zone for the city of Casa Grande and where the current water treatment facility for the area exists. The purpose of the map is to show where the proposed affluent pipe, for expansion flow, will be located on the site. Affluent water will be available and will flow the length of the ‘North branch of the Santa Cruze wash’.


Pina

l

10

Roadways Infrastructure Systems

map Legend Santa Cruze North Branch Corridor

No water Availalbe

Water Available

Corridor Research (site) looking at available water

NO CAP Canal Water

NO Aquifer pumping

YES Effluent Water YES Urban Stormwater

Water Fragmentation: Finding water

Stormwater: North Branch of the Santa Cruze Wash

Pinal County: Proposed Effluent pipe Map content shows the 100 year flood zone for the city of Casa Grande and where the current water treatment facility for the area exists. The purpose of the map is to show where the proposed affluent pipe, for expansion flow, will be located on the site. Affluent water will be available and will flow the length of the ‘North branch of the Santa Cruze wash’.


Pina

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10



No water Availalbe

Water Available

Pinal County: proposed effluent pipe

Map content shows the 100 year flood zone for the city of Casa Grande (blue) and where the current water treatment facility for the area exists. The map show where the proposed effluent pipe, for expansion flow, will be located in Casa Grande and this will effect water flow on the site. Effluent water will be available and will flow the length of the North branch of the Santa Cruze wash.

NO CAP Canal Water

NO Aquifer Pumping

YES YES

Effluent Water

Urban Stormwater

YES

YES

House Greywater

Rainwater CatchmentAvailable water

Corridor research (site) looking at planting zones

Planting zones: These are the unique planting zones which make up the Availalbe Riparian Ecosystem

Planting zones: Greyed out zones are ones that are missing from this riparian Corridoor. Based on on site ground truth

Best Planting Conditions Worst Planting Conditions

Planting Zones: These are the unique planting zones which make up the Riparian

Ecosystem on the site and should be availalbe.

Planting Zones: Grayed out Zones are the ones that were found to be missing from this riparian corridor. Information based upon ground truthing of site.

Pinal County: loss of planting zones

Map content shows the condition of the riparian planting zone for the North branch of the Santa Cruze wash (Color) and where the current head streams and waters for the area exist. The map shows that the conditions of the waterway range from medium to worst condition possible.

The worst condition possible on the North branch of the Santa Cruze wash was chosen for the project site in order to maintain corridor stability for wildlife. Why the planting condition is this way can be seen on land use mapping.

Corridor Research (site) understanding land use and space availability



Places of Ecological Importance

Casa Grande: Current Development

Casa Grande: To be developed

Corridor research: habitat fragmentation development over wildlands

10


Urban Housing DensityDevelopers (6)

- Maxhimer (105 units) -1unit per ac- Rancho Doro Estates (110 units)- 1unit per ac- Condon Park Estates (108 Units) -4 units per ac- Lillian Master plan community (108 units) -4 units per ac- Rodea Ranch Estates (68 units) -4 units per ac- Rodea Estates (64 units) -4 units per ac Total: 558 Homes 1,500 -2,000’ feet per unitOther development (2)

-Office condominiums -Industurial park

Development and wildland conflict -places where developed comes into conflict with important riparian wildlands.

Corridor research: development and wildlife conflict



Agriculture Development

Industrial Development

Current housing Development

Future housing Development

Corridor research: space conflicts map Legend

Development

Space conflicts identified and then measured in Google Earth to find distance from urban edge to urban edge.

Corridor research: land use development









Places of Ecological Importance

Casa Grande: Current Development

Casa Grande: To be developed

Corridor research: habitat fragmentation development over wildlands

10


Urban Housing DensityDevelopers (6)

- Maxhimer (105 units) -1unit per ac- Rancho Doro Estates (110 units)- 1unit per ac- Condon Park Estates (108 Units) -4 units per ac- Lillian Master plan community (108 units) -4 units per ac- Rodea Ranch Estates (68 units) -4 units per ac- Rodea Estates (64 units) -4 units per ac Total: 558 Homes 1,500 -2,000’ feet per unitOther development (2)

-Office condominiums -Industurial park

Development and wildland conflict -places where developed comes into conflict with important riparian wildlands.








Corridor research: space conflicts map Legend

Development

Space conflicts identified and then measured in Google Earth to find distance from urban edge to urban edge.


TREE FROGS

Larva

TRUE TOAD

SPADEFOOT

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Amphibians (Salientia) Families: ( Pelobatidae) (Bufonidae) (Hylidae) (Ranidae) (Pipidae) (Microhylidae ) (Leptodactylidae)

Couch’s spadefoot (scaphiopus couchi)

Mexican spadefoot (Antrozous pallidus)

Great planes toad (Anaxyrus cognatus)

Arizona toad (Anaxyrus cognatus)

Red spotted toad (Anaxyrus punctatus)

Green toad (Anaxyrus retiformis)

Woodhouse toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii)

Sonoran toad (Anaxyrus alvarius)

Canyon tree frog (Hyla arenicolor)

Mating Larva

Active

Frog

s/ li

zard

s*

Mic

e, v

oles

Fish

Bea

tles

C

rick

et/ g

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hopp

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Art

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ods

Spi

ders

Leaf

Bug

s

Cic

adas

Ant

s/ T

erm

inte

s

Bee

s/ W

asps

Lace

win

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Ext

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Inte

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Typ

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What they eat (foodweb) Status Habitat Particulars

Wet

land

s

Agr

icul

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S

trea

m e

dge

Larva

Active Mating

Larva

Active Mating

Larva Mating

Larva

Active Mating

Larva

Active Mating

Active Mating

Active

Larva Mating

Mating Larva

Active

Larva

Active Mating

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Wildlife Research: understanding Arizona’s wildlife

Arizona Wildlife Species Information

TO UNDERSTAND The Wildlife phenology was created in order to understand Sonoran Desert wildlife as a subject matter. So that the needs of the wildlife would be understood before the design process started.

TO IDENTIFY The Wildlife phenology looked at the Sonoran desert wildife in order to identiy which wildlife would be affected by the loss of ripairan wildlands -- 19 Orders looked at

TO KNOW The Wildlife phenology was used to gather all the information a designer needed to know about the sonoran wildlife in order to make a corridor rehibilitation effect:

* Life Cycle* Protection Status* Food Requirements* Habitat Particulars

MUSKLIDS

RINGTAILS

COYOTE /FOX

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Carnivores (Carnavoris) Families: ( Canidae) (Pyrocyonidae) (Mustelidae) (Felidae)

Coyote (Canis latrans)

Grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)

Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis)

Racoon (Procyon lotor)

Ringtail (bassariscus astutus)

Coati (Nasua nasua)

Badger (Taxidea taxus)

Spotted Skunk (spilogale gracilis)

Stripped Skunk ( mephitis mephitis)

Roa

d S

cava

nge

Frui

t be

rrie

s

Tre

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ans*

Mic

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oles

/ rat

s

Rab

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Gro

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gru

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Ext

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Typ

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type

What they eat (foodweb) Status Habitat Particulars

Dea

d tr

ees

Str

eam

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In the Area Mating Maternity



In the Area Not Documented Not Documented

In the Area Mating Birth





Ari

zona

Rip

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n D

evel

opm

ent

Getting to Bio(diversity): current land use and a biodiversity preposal

Biodiversity Concept (Site) -same space just arranged differently—which do you want?

Nothingness

BioC

ity Developm

ent PlanW

ildlands openspace (Wildlife habitat) (trails)

Water

Activity

Private space

Social Spaces (WildW

alk)

Soci

al sp

ace

(stre

ets,

conc

rete

can

al)

Wat

er

Priv

ate

spac

e

Not

hing

ness

(stre

ets)

Act

ivity

The Bio(diversity) Site Plan:

Dog Park -walking trails

*Human Walking trails (semi natural)

*Organized sport activity

*Mixed use (Housing +Shops)

Housing only

*Wildlife center and view deck

*Agriculture (plants & animal)

Understanding Human Bio(diversity) Site

Community Center

Water Treatment displays (black)

Water treatment display (Storm)

Tradational grass park

*Business only

Understanding Wildlife Bio(diversity) Site

Notes * Agriculture- Rotation grown*Human Walking trails- Semi natural wild spaces, unmaintained and natural growth. *Sports -put at the edge so expansion, if needed, encroaches into the city not the wildlife habitat zone. *Mixed use housing - Housing on top, business on bottom -can include shops, restaurants, art galleries.*Business only -shops and restaurants on the bottom -non consumer goods and places of work on top*Wildlife center for sick or injured Sonoran wildlife - includes volunteer center and provides information about the local wildlife. Wildlife that cannot be released is displayed for visitors.

Riparian Cottonwood/ willow

Riparian Mesquite habitat

Upland Desert -non riparian-

*Cultivated Wilderness

Wildlife movement cooidors

*“Living pools”

Bats for Agruculture

Hanging gardens for birds, insects, Small mammals

Riparian Stream edge

*Wildlife bridges

Roofs for Wildlife (birds, bats, insects)

Gardens for polinators, insects, sm mammals, birds

Notes * Cultivated wilderness- Wild growth with native species but at a level of highly designed density and appearance. The distribution and density of the plants in this location are not accurately portrayed, and growth is maintained on rainwater harvesting and gray water.*Wildlife overpasses allow wildlife to continue along the corridor without crossing the roadways. Roadways are extremely dangerous for both wildlife and people in cars and can cause injuries and death to both parties. Multiple brides allow for wildlife to have an option of where to cross the roadways to avoid predation. *living pools- pools with ‘lipped edges’ are the cause of many wildlife drowning’s. living pools do not have lipped edges and this allows small wildlife to escape the pool if they fall into it. Also these pools provide a source of water that is not contaminated with chemicals.

Wildlife Signifance (food) Wildlife Signifance (habitat)

Ecologial Importance Aestetic Value ‘Desert Feeling”

SPIkERUSH Eleocharis species (water grass)

Rip

aria

n To

e

BULLRUSH Scirpus species (water grass)

NARROWLEAF CATTAIL Sypha angustifolia (watergrass)COMMON CATTAIL Sypha latifolia (watergrass)

RUSHES Juncus spp.(watergrass)

SEEPWILLOW Baccharis salicifolia (thicket shrub)

Ban

k COyOTE WILLOW Salix exigua (thicket shrub)SCRATCHGRASS Muhlenbergia asperfolia (bunch grass)

Rip

aria

n O

verb

ank ARROW-WEED Pluchea sericea (Shrub)

RED WILLOW Salix laevigata (Tree/shrub)

BLACk WILLOW Salix gooddingii (tree/shrub)

SEEPWILLOW Baccharis salicifolia (thicket shrub)

COyOTE WILLOW Salix exigua (thicket shrub)

DESERT WILLOW Chilopsis linearis (tree/shrb)

COTTONWOOD Populus fremontii (tree)

NETLEAF HACkBERRy Celtis laevigata (tree)

VELVET MESqUITE Prosopis velutinia (Tree thicket)

Rip

aria

n Fl

oodz

one

HONEy MESqUITE Prosopis glandulsa (tree thicket)

qUAILBUSH Atriplex lentiformis (shrub)

BIG SACATON Sporobolus wrightii (bunch grass)

WESTERN SOAPBERRy Sapindus saponaria (tree/ shrub)

ALkALI SACATON Sporobolus airoides (bunch grass)

VELVET MESqUITE Prosopis velutinia (Tree)

Des

ert

upla

nds

FOOTHILLS PALOVERDE Cercidium microphyllum (tree/shrub)

ALkALI SACATON Sporobolus airoides (bunch grass)

CHOkECHERRy Prunus virginiana (shrub)

CATCLAW ACACIA Acacia greggii (tree shrub)

HACkBERRy Celtis occidentalis (shrub)BARREL CACTUS Ferocactus species (cactus)BRITTLE BUSH Encelia farinosa (shrub)

CHOIA CACTUS Opuntia imbricata -species- (cactus)

TRIANGLE-LEAF BURSAGE Ambrosia deltoidea

DESERT IRONWOOD Olneya tesota (tree)

VELVET MESqUITE Prosopis velutinia (Tree)

Des

igne

d de

sert

“fa

ntas

y de

sert

”

FOOTHILLS PALOVERDE Cercidium microphyllum (tree/shrub)

OCOTILLO Fouquieria splendens (seculant)

CHOkECHERRy Prunus virginiana (shrub)

SAGUARO Carnegiea gigantea (cactus)

HACkBERRy Celtis occidentalis (shrub)BARREL CACTUS Ferocactus species (cactus)BRITTLE BUSH Encelia farinosa (shrub)

CHOIA CACTUS Opuntia imbricata -species- (cactus)

TRIANGLE-LEAF BURSAGE Ambrosia deltoidea

PRICkLy PEAR Opuntia species (cactus)

qUAILBUSH Atriplex lentiformis (shrub)CRESOTE Larrea tridentata (shrub)WOLFBERRy Lycium species (shrub)

JOJOBA SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (SHRUB)AGAVE SPECIES (12 agave) HOPS BUSH dodonaea viscosa

DESERT SPOON daylirion wheeleri

MILkWEED Asclepias subulata (shrub)

BUTTERFLy BUSH Buddleja species (shrub)FIRECRACkER BUSH Justica species (3) (shrub)ALOE aloe species (3) (succulant)

PENESTRMON WILDFLOWER penestrmon species (15) (flower)DESERT SAGES salvia species (7) (flowers)yUCCA yucca species (12) (shrub)MExICAN BIRD OF PARADICE CAESALPINIA SPECIES (2)

FAIRy DUSTER calliandra species (2) (shrub) RED yUCCA hesperaloe species (2) shrub

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NOTATION about plants: This list is not all inclusive and is an example chosen from each area to demonstrate the kind of plants that were chosen.

The Bio(diversity) Plant Plan:

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The ‘WildWalk’ boardwalk - is the public walking and outdoor dining area between the built city and the riparian zone. This design element is extremely important because it removes this valuable land (riparian zone) from private ownership (single family yards) where only a few people have access to this natural resource and places in the public realm, where the general public can experience and be close proximity to wildlife.Hanging gardens –Composed of flowering vines and trailing growth plants, these gardens provide residents with their very own up-close (proximity) patch of nature. Upon moving into the loft, residents are given a care and information packet about the garden. No pesticide, water by greywater, how to live with wildlife. Gardens provide food and shelter to wildlife.

About this area:

About this area:

Walkable Desert Trails: Allows visitors to experience desert habitats -uplands and pollinator garden-, and they are able to do without endangering the real wildlife habitat.

Insect garden signs: to educate the public about the messyness of gardens and why there are insects. Also why a biodiversity of plants is better then one type “Starting small for something big”

Garden decks: Allows the visitor to change their view perspective and proximity -Sitting between two wildlife gardens (experience), looking out over the desert or watching people shopping or walking the boardwalk.

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Starting small for something BIG

Insect Friendly Habitat

"So important are insects and other land-dwelling arthropods that if all were to disappear, humanity probably could not last more than a few months ... Most of the amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals would crash to extinction about the same time. With most flowering plants, and forests following soon after.” Edward O Wilson

Why? Many different kinds of animals eat indests. By destroying them we are closing the channels of the nutrient cycles.

Grass

Producer

Grasshopper

Primary Consumer

Ant Quail Hawk

Secondary Consumer

Tertiary Consumer

Top Consumer

Lights allow this area to be used for the experience of nighttime walks in the desert.

About this area:

Grass Green roof : planted with native grasses, this roof allows experience a new prespective - the treetops-.

Bug and bird windows: These are escape hatches (on all buildngs) for wildlife (bugs, birds, bats) so they do not become trapped in a building. Built as an exit not entrance.

Bee homes: bees are an extremely important part of the Sonoran ecosystem- where there are flowers on site, bee home have been provided and signs to educate about them.

Bird houses: are provided on the outdoor roofs, making use of this space for song birds- yep there are poop gards too so people below dont have to worry. (proximity)

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About this area:

Walkable Desert Trails: Allows visitors to experience desert habitats -uplands and mesquite bosque, and they are able to do without endangering the real wildlife habitat. Stormwater catchment: Used to capture water during monsoon events. The rest of the year it’s used as seating that allows the visitor to experience a new perspective: the ground at eye level - and sit within proximity of the edge wildlife; perhaps to eat lunch and watch the quail. The edge: Although defined by steps, the edge is prous and invites visitors to sit at the edge and watch or to step out and experience the cultivated wilderness.

Transition zones: the intersection of habitat zones (mesquite bosque and upland) these places tend to be high in biodiversity. Because of this, these areas are watered with grey water to increase wildlife density. 0

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Birds and bat habitat - is provided underneath the hanging gardens- near the pond as dusk is the best place to experience bats up-close and signs educate about the importance of these amazing pollinators. So visitors are provided with biodiversity; they can pull up chairs on the wildwalk, grab a snack at the shops and enjoy the unique show.

More then one habitat -human habitat is mixed with wildlife homes- the buildings have business on bottom and housing on top, wildlife is intermixed.

The Pond - Allows visitors to experience wildlife at the waters edge and at a new perspective. To one side the glass wall gives people a great view of the native desert fish and what is going on below the water. The deck alows for an above the pond view.

About this area:

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Wildlife signs -information about wildlife “Understanding the wildlife we live with” The signs turn education about wildlife into a game. If you want a coyote in the garden what else must you have?

Activities at the edge- biodiversity- sports activities are |behind the unmovable shops, so if activity spaces wish to expand the parking lot, not the wildlands, will have to be removed.

Farmers market biodiversity (interior and exterior) - The week-end Market is provided outside. During the week visitors can go to the indoor farmers market were food is sold by a shop. The shop is owned by the local farmers and their food is sold there for people who could not make the weekend market.

About this area:

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Coyote

Name:Canis LatransFavorate food:Requires mice, rats, insects and rabbits before its able to make a home in our garden!

Favorate habitat:Requires an upland habitat zone before its able tomake a home in our community’s garden!

Did you know: a variety of calls which help defend their territory as well as strengthen bonds and communication

Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae

The gateway steps- The city floods, and that water travels along this once roadway into the riparian zone. “The gateway steps” are a flood control measure that is able to retain stormwater flows and prevent them from bring dirty petro-chemical water into the riparian channel, and at the same time allows these waters to infiltrate through sand filter to refill the aquifer. (signs are provided for education about this process) This area supports water hungry trees and creates a unique experience for visitors to watch the monsoon events under the cottonwood trees.

About this area:

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The sky deck- The bridge and sky deck are nestled within the branches the cottonwood forests and it seemingly appears to hoover above all the action on the riparian floor below. Here Wildlife can be seen in close proximity while their habitat remains un-trampled by human footsteps; a compromise for the residents of both habitats.

A biodiversity of activity takes place on the sky deck. Civilized birding - where birders can watch and listen to the wildlife while having morning coffee at one of the many tables provided. Wildlife tours - tours provided by the wildlife center- these guided tours provided education to the public about the importance of this habitat. The sky bridge- the bridges provide interesting walking terrain and unique views- some at the tops of the trees, others right at ground level. Lunch- at the tables provided, people can picnic at the treetops of cottonwoods.

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About this area:

The living pools - In Arizona, pools are no doubt the bane of wildlife. Many come to the pool edge,seeking a drink and in doing so fall into the water. The ‘lipped edges’ that are common on most pools, prevent the small animals from being able to get out and most times the wildlife end up drowning.

Living pools do not have these ‘lipped edges’. Water meets the ground at a natural slope and this allows small wildlife to escape the pool if they fall into it. Also, these pools provide a source of water that is not contaminated with pool chemicals, such as chlorine or salt. The water is instead cleaned by plants and a sand filter. Such pools can provide a touch of wild where there would have only been concrete and water (biodiversity), and it also goes a long way to demonstrate and educate that people and wildlife can share the exact same habitat (proximity).

About this area:

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Notes about the Section

Wildlife signs -information about wildlife and plants“Understanding the wildlife we live with” The signs turn education about wildlife into a game. If you want a coyote in the garden what else must you have? well go look at the other signs to discover what is needed.

Biodiversity in the tree allay- Tree allays with more then one type of tree

More then one habitat - The human habitat is Biodiverse. Not only is it mixed-usage -business and housing- but it’s mixed with wildlife homes. Also the interiors of each of the buildings are uniquely different, providing different views and needs for different people.

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Class lawn - Here is the classic concept of a lawn or field with sheep and goats to mow the grass and chickens to deal with the insects. This area also provides children the opportunity to see farm animals and where their meat products come from. These animals are also used to keep up the grounds that need mowing and groundswork.

About this area:

Farmers market stalls - weekend outdoor market stalls

Earthen mounds - Raised earth with seating and above lighting. Best used for picnicking and outdoor lunches bought from the farmers market.

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Biocity

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Transcript of Biocity