Nature as a Model for Large-scale Planting Design: Variable Classification Method

Two methods, the Regression Method and the Least Difference Method, for large-scale planting design resembling native plant communities had previously been developed. They involved selection of a plant palette from a native (model) plant community suitable for the site's climate and overall soil characteristics; followed by plant placement based on topo-edafic variables. The respective articles provided a basis for the development of software to be used by landscape designers. The Variable Classification Method proposed in the present paper is a simplified version that can be readily applied without requiring the development of special software. It involves: a) site analysis of the project site using the available site analysis software, b) classifying the topo-edaphic data of the grid cells on the project site along with those of the sample plots in the model community, and c) assigning species composition of the sample plots to the grid cells with matching topo-edaphic classes.