S07 - Session P2 - Climate change and the effect it has on plant selection in the urban landscape

Authors: Kara - Lee Prinsloo *, Elaine Kuschke, Retha Slabbert

The phenomenon known as climate change, refers to an ongoing trend of changes in the earth's general weather conditions as a result of an average rise in the temperatures of the earth's surface. Climate change is a very important concern within South Africa and the rest of the world and is not only impacting biodiversity and disrupting ecosystems but is also affecting water resources, food security, health and infrastructure. This paper examines the effect of climate change on the selection and use of plants in the urban landscape as well to determine the changes in terms of landscape design trends, techniques and styles implemented in South Africa and the globe respectively. This also included to determine the current knowledge of members of the South African Green Industry on climate change in the landscape industry. The research suggests that designers and plant propagators are aware of the effect that climate change has on the landscape industry. More emphasis is placed on climate sensitive design approaches to urban environments as well as plant selection, use and availability. The emphasis is to plan and design a landscape in an environmentally-responsive approach. In response to the improvement of urban climatic conditions, it is important to revise current urban planning and design methods. This can be achieved by considering the needs to be able to adapt the changing climate and interrelationship between the design elements with the desired climatic impact.