The application of symphytosociology in landscape architecture in the Western Mediterranean

This essay addresses the application of indigenous plants in Landscape Architecture projects, based on studies carried out in the field of phytosociology and sinphytosociology. Through this knowledge, it is possible to increase and improve the use of indigenous plants in Projects, aiming at the preservation of biodiversity. Thus, to better understand the western Mediterranean territory, we present a brief biophysical characterization, in which we point out the main factors which contribute to the ground coverage’s distribution in the landscape, namely, concerning climate (oceanity, ombroclimate and thermoclimate) and substrate (geology and lithology). In view of the high level of uniqueness of the identified conditions, a synthesis of the potential main existing climatophilous woods is carried out, regarding sinphytosocialogical class/order, furthermore, pointing out, the main serial stages, their vegetation bioindicators and the ecological peculiarities of each stage (regressive or progressive). Therefore, based on the study area, we point out the vegetation bioindicator’s value as a work tool during analysis, thus allowing us to understand the existing edaphoclimatic conditions, as well as to elaborate a quick diagnosis of each potential climatophilous vegetation series. Moreover, based on the main stages of substitution, it is also possible to identify the presence of endemic plants, or under protection status, and finally, the conservation state of the study area. Further ahead, in project proposal phase, based on information gathered previously, we point out the possibility of elaborating a list of plants correctly adapted to the existing mesologicall conditions. Thus, within each serial stage, the necessary ecological conditions for a correct adaption of the vegetation material are referred, therefore, avoiding possible limiting factors to their development, such as precipitation, soil erosion, light availability, salinity, among many others. Lastly, some considerations are made about the main ideas that should be remembered throughout this essay, namely, regarding the importance of the use of sinphytosociology’s knowledge as an analysis tool, as well as of high interest for the elaboration of proposals which aim at the floristic heritage’s conservation and the landscape’s scenic quality. Ce travail traite de l`application de plantes autochtones dans des projets d`Architecture Paysagiste ayant pour base des études réalisées dans le cadre de la phytosociologie et Symphytosociologie. À travers ces connaissances, il est possible d`incrémenter et améliorer l`utilisation de plantes autochtones dans les Projets basés sur la conservation de la biodiversité. Ainsi, afin de mieux comprendre le territorie de la méditérrannée occidentale, on présente une brève caractérisation biophysique, dans laquelle nous soulignons les principaux facteurs qui contribuent à la répartition de la végétation dans le paysage, notamment au niveau climatique (l`océanité, ombrothermique et thermoclimatique) et du substrat (géologie et lithologie). Face aux conditions, identifiées ci-dessus, élévées en originalité, il est utile d`élaborer une synthèse des principaux bois potentiels climatophiles existants au niveau de la classe/ordre symphitosociologique, en soulignant également les principales étapes de série, leurs bioindicateurs végétaux et aux particularités écologiques de chaque étape (régressive ou progressive). Ainsi, sur la base de l`interprétation de la zone d`étude, le bioindicateur végétal se distingue comme un outil de travail durant l`analyse, permettant de cette façon comprendre les conditions édapho-climatiques existantes, ainsi comme élaborer un rapide diagnostic de chaque série de végétation potentielle climatophile. En outre, sur la base des principales étapes de remplacement, il est également possible d`identifier la présence de plantes endémiques, ou avec un statut de protection et enfin l`état de conservation de la zone d`étude. Déjà au stade de proposition du projet, basée sur l`information recueillie précédemment, il y a la possibilité d`établir une liste de plantes bien adaptées aux conditions mésologiques. Ainsi, dans chaque étape de série, les conditions écologiques nécessaires à une bonne adaptation de la matière végétale sont référées, évitant ainsi des facteurs limitant à son développement, tels que les précipitations, l`érosion des soís, disponibilité de la lumière, de la salinité, parmi beaucoup d`autres. Et enfin, quelques considérations se tissent sur les principales idées à retenir tout au long du travail, notamment l`importance d`utiliser la connaissance de la symphytosociologie comme un outil d`analyse d`un grand intérêt pour la développement de propositions pour la conservation du patrimoine floristique et la qualité pittoresque du paysage.

Grounds of farm house for David Adler Jr. at Libertyville, Ill. Revised garden layout

Changes in plantings indicated in pen. Unsigned. 88 x 52 cm. Scale 1/8" = 1' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Plan for fish ponds; estate of Mr. James A. Allison

Black and red ink on linen; some pencil. Location of ponds, buildings and gardens; elevations; two cross-section details of pond depth and drainage; some penciled topographical lines, elevations and changes in location of buildings, walkways and ponds. 93 cm. x 57 cm. [Marion College] [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Topographical survey; grounds of Mr. James A. Allison

Ink on linen. Elevations, location of drainage tiles, buildings and vegetation. Includes some penciled lines and notes. 94 cm. x 80 cm. Scale: 1"= 50' [Marion College] [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Preliminary sketch, development of pond. Estate of J.O. Armour, Esq.; Lake Forest, Ill.

Pencil on tracing paper. Notes, plantings. Signed. 73 cm. x 69 cm. Scale: 1"=30' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Topo Survey Armour

Black ink, red grid on linen. Untitled, undated sheet. Labeled in lower left in pencil: "B9'" and in lower right "Topo Survey Armour." Topograhical lines in pencil. No elevations. Appears to cover entire estate. Unsigned. 110 cm. x 77 cm. No scale [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Planting plan for the pond; estate of J.O. Armour, Esq., Lake Forest, Ill.

Pencil on tracing paper. Untitled, undated sheet. Labeled in lower left in pencil: "B9'" and in lower right "Topo Survey Armour." Topographical lines in pencil. No elevations. Appears to cover entire estate. Unsigned. 110 cm. x 77 cm. No scale [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Untitled, undated drawing

Pencil and red ink on tracing paper. Labeled in lower left in pencil: "B-9" and in lower right "Formal Gardens. Armour." Garden outlined in ink, vegetation in pencil, elevations in red ink. Unsigned. 107.5 cm. x 80 cm. No scale. [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Grounds of J.B. Berryman Esq. ... Detail plan for swimming pool

Black and red Ink on tracing paper. General plan with elevations, cross-sections. Signed. 73 cm. x 50 cm. Scale: general plan: 1"=20'; details: 1"=1' and 1/4"=1' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Grounds of home for crippled children

Ink and pencil on linen. Plantings, arbor, portions of roads, new buildings, types and locations of proposed plantings. Signed. 105 cm. x 90 cm. Scale: 1"=50' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Drives and walks; Chicago

W.A. Otis and E.H. Clark, architects. O.C. Simonds & Co., landscape gardeners. Unsigned. 70 cm. x 74 cm. Scale: 1"=100' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Proposed Chicago Technical University Agricultural High School; Chicago

Colored pencil on tracing paper. Buildings, gardens, pools. Signed. 135 cm. x 65 cm. Scale: 1"=100' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Planting plan for the garden areas. Property of O.C. Doering, Esq.

Yellow and black ink on linen. Building outlined in yellow. Location, type of plantings, water pipes, walkways; notes with planting instructions. 105 cm. x 82 cm. Scale: 1"=10' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Estate of Mrs. Scott Durand ... Drain plan

Ink on tracing paper. Elevations. Locations of present and proposed drains, manholes, catch-basins; cross-section of catch-basins. Signed. 97 cm. x 82 cm. Scale: 1"=20' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]

Estate of Mrs. Scott Durand. Crabtree dairy farm. Planting plan.

Ink on linen; location, type of planting, pools, gardens, arbors, buildings. Lodge by Hugh Garden. Signed. 87 cm. x 84 cm. Scale: 1"=20' [from photographic copy by Lance Burgharrdt]