Question

Your landscape design scenario is a new landscape that utilizes plant species with very low evapotranspiration value. The microclimate is high with an unprotected environment in a windy area. The plant density is moderate since it is a new landscape. What is the Landscape Coefficient for this landscape using the numbers provided in the table below

HIGH MODERATE LOW VERY LOW

SPECIES FACTOR .8 .5 .2 .1

DENSITY 1.2 1.0 .7

MICROCLIMATE 1.3 1.0 .6

Answer 1

Landscape Coefficient (KL) for any landscape depends on three major factors-

a) Plant species existing in the landscape

b) Shade and microclimate

c) Plant density

While evaluating, Landscape Coefficient (KL) the above three factors are taken into consideration and an adjustment factor for all of these three factors is included in the mathematical relation as given below –

Where,

i s Adjustment factor for plant species

is Adjustment factor for shade or microclimate

is Adjustment factor for plant density

For low evapotranspiration value, the corresponding values of these adjustment factors will be

is 0.2

is 0.6

is 0.7

Substituting the given values in above equation, we get