MELBOURNE POLLINATOR CORRIDOR
PORTFOLIO
CARISSA RIZKI ANDIANI
S3481786
STUDIO 3
PROJECT BRIEF
A recent UN Report predicts that 40% of invertebrate pollinator species are facing extinction in the future. This is a devasting forecast considering that insects such as bees and butterflies are key to securing the world’s food supply. Importantly, this issue is also evident in Melbourne, which (prior to the pandemic) was one of the fastest growing Western cities on Earth. The city’s rapid and ongoing transformation continues to impact its landscape systems, reducing habitat for native plants and animals while modifying largescale ecological networks, processes and materials (water, soil and fragmentation).
Responding to such concerns, local communities in the city of Port Philip formed Melbourne Pollinator Corridor program. The Melbourne Pollinator Corridor (MPC) is a community driven initiative with a 10-year goal of creating 200 gardens by 2023 in the MPC zone, which range from Port Phillip to Melbourne Royal Botannical Garden. The initiative aims to increase biodiversity while giving residents the opportunity to create positive environmental changes within their neighbourhoods.
However, the unintended consequences of these green efforts are stricter council guidelines on nature strips. The scenario is further compounded by municipal and state government suburban development guidelines that was recently published titled ‘Nature Strip Guidelines Draft – City of Port Philip’ do little to mediate urbanisation’s impact on the Port Philip’s unique ecology.
Therefore, the overall aim of this studio is to expand new habitat typologies within the City of Port Phillip by exploring the following question:
“How
can native pollinator habitats be designed within the context of public spaces to mend the functional and structural fragmentation of ecological corridors situated within the urban fabric?”
We look at nature strips and ambiguous landscapes and infrastructures as potential sites to create urban ecological corridor that caters to a species of pollinator.
DESIGN PROPOSITION
I stand for Nature of the 3rd kind as well as Nature of the 4th kind. Encouraging biodiversity is important in order to expand territories of threatened species as well as creating a lively natural retreat for people in urban areas.
Since the precedent I chose for this project, Lurie Garden, costs millions of dollars in creation and seems to have high level of maintenance every season, I’m interested in how can landscape design brings balance between human intervention and letting natural process to occurs –or possibly enhance the site. It would be interesting to see whether or not the natural process would be more cost efficient.
The idea is to create a park for conservation. Ideally, only few human intervention is needed to bring more effectiveness and efficiency to the natural process. As it is currently not possible to create a full wilderness in urban space. The Four Natures approach in Berlin, Germany highlighted some strategies such as allowing woodland to grow without intervention in some areas, maintaining site by mowing for aesthetic and habitat function, as well as creating runway that leads visitor to the sensitive biotopes such as woodlands in the core area (Kowarik, 2013).
This would be beneficial for butterflies as they live in diverse habitats. Creating park with open plane like Lurie Garden allows them to have lots of feeding and regulate their body temperature. Allowing the site to have natural process would also possibly bring mineral waters during summer. Using the 3rd and 4th nature would provide territories for each butterfly life stages.
IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL SITES
URBAN ECOLOGICAL CORRIDOR AND TERRAIN VAGUE
Ecological corridor is area that allows animals to move through to find food, breeding, to move in between season. Low levels of ecological connectivity prevents movement of species which leads to reduction in genetic diversity, depression and local extinction of local pollinator species. There are two ways to realise ecological connectivity: through physical and function.
Physical connectivity can exist through traditional urban landscapes such as parks, and smaller features such as nature strips and patches of flowering shrubs. Features such as vegetation along roadways, isolated trees, patches of shrubs, fallen logs all form stepping stones for ecological corridors.
Realising the functional connectivity involves close observation and analysis of urban landscapes. Paying close attention to cross gaps in habitats and looking at site’s spatial characteristics that affected movement. The characteristics of green spaces must match the needs of daily animal movements and dispersal events.
In this case, ambiguous urban spaces, or Terrain Vague, are identified as potential sites for urban ecological corridor. They are generally residual and ambiguous, contain traces of eviction and erasure from previous human intervention.
Empty spaces in urban area are the most clear cut example; areas that are ‘free zone’ vacant land, in between spaces squeesed between industrial infrastructures that have no clear access path.
PARCEL 8&9 lies on the industrial zone Port Philip. There are more open spcae available compared to other areas among the MPC area.
Nature strips and undeveloped sites can be a potential area to provide habitats for pollinator.
Visual collage of Terrain Vague found in the area
LANDSCAPE TYPOLOGY
NATURE STRIPS
This section adjacent to main road.
While this section on the north side is more enclosed by trees and shrubs. Nearby buildings enclose the space further from sun light
This site is relatively flat, with fences , shrubs, and trees as boundary. This site seems to be composed mainly of grass land on sandy/dry soil with mulch on the centre L shape.
The site drawing mainly focus on the site’s existing vegetation, boundary, and how it correspond with nearby industrial buildings.
A relatively flat area standing on a slightly raised concrete platform. There seem to be water run off concaving surface around 1m long. This site has Eucalyptus tree as central point of the roundabout.
This site is relatively flat, has no visible boundaries except for its raised concrete platform. This site seems to be composed mainly of sandy/dry soil.
The site drawing mainly focus on its relationship with nearby building’s green boundary on the right, as well as concrete platform which exists in other part of this area.
DESIGNING FOR POLLINATOR BUTTERFLY
General information about butterfly:
• Many species of butterfly are territorial.
• Butterflies feed primarily on nectar from flowers. They sip water from damp patches for hydration and are also attracted to salt.
• Combination of host and nectar plants—nectar plants will attract butterflies, host plants will keep them there, while nectar plants are used for feeding. Butterflies need a constant source of blooming nectar from spring to fall.
• In hot dry periods some surface water is often attractive, especially small mud puddles where mineralised water may be imbibed.
• Most species are sensitive to the ultraviolet spectrum. They can orient themselves through shaded and exposed area to regulate their body temperature.
• Butterflies will also seek shelter from wind by perching on shrubs or trees, especially on the sunny side.
In
addition, my design guiding question focus on:
How can the corridor provide habitats for pollinators and facilitate them in urban environment throughout their lifespan?
Characteristics
Large black and white butterfly with greenish colour on wing undersides and brown edges. Distinctive swallowtail shape on hindwings, with a tail.
Usually seen flying fast and high.
Mainly found in Victoria and Tasmania, generally on the wing between November and March.
Macleay’s swallowtail
Graphium macleayanum (Leach, 1814)
[Lepidoptera: Papilionidae]
Caterpillar feeds on Adults feeds on
A wide range of native host plants, including species of Atherosperma, Cinnamomum, Cryptocarya, Daphnandra, Doryphora, Endiandra, Geijera and Tasmannia
Also feeds on the non-native laurel Cinnamomum camphora.
Observed feeding on species of Buddleja, Lantana, Leptospermum and daisies.
In this study we recorded Graphium macleayanum visiting flowers of a nonnative species of Plectranthus (Appendix II).
Photograph reproduced with kind permission from Michael Schmid. Kirk et.al (2017) Our City’s Little Gems, Butterfly diversity and flower-butterfly interactions in the City of Melbourne. http://biodiversity.melbourne.vic.gov.au/insects/index.html#/butterflies
SPECIES FOCUS
Macleay’s Swallowtail that are seen in Westgate park, on the same localities of MPC area.
Males congregate around hilltops, defending their territory from rival males. Females can be seen circling treetops, or spiralling up into the tree canopy, and then descending to restlessly sip nectar from flowers.
The butterfly feeds on nectar from Lantana plants and various species in the Asteraceae family (daisies).
The caterpillars of Macleay’s Swallowtail have adapted to feed on a variety of plants including the introduced Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora). Including various species of Sassafras, Native Pepper trees, Camphor Laurel, and other plants in the Lauraceae and Rutaceae families.
Urban Habitat - Park
Standard Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) Host plant for larvae
Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera Fastigiata)
Host plant for male territory and mating
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) Host plant for male territory. Wind shelter
Common Correa (Correa re exa)
Lantana (Lantana Camara) Nectar plants for adult butter ies food source. *can be invasive
Twiggy Daisy-bush (Olearia ramulosa) Host plant for adult butter ies food source
Narrow-leaf New Holland Daisy (Vittadinia muelleri) Nectar plant for adult butter ies food source
Macleay’s Swallowtail
PLANTING STRATEGY
Planting design strategy that I used is based on a report of Fisherman Bend Urban Forest strategy 2015 to 2025.
The general strategy is to extend the ecology and biodiversity of Westgate Park into urban fabric. To make them better connected through tree canopy cover and connected open spaces. Which brings opportunity to select pollinator species and build vegetation structure (understorey planting) to enhance diversity.
The overall 10 year planting strategy principles are as followed:
1. Enhance the character of park perimeter streets through plantings that respond to the character and scale of the park perimeter.
2. Maximise the potential for tree canopy where planting opportunities are limited.
3. Enhance the connections of the streetscape to the ecology of the Yarra and Maribrynong River corridors and Westgate Park.
4. Create streets that provide connections between open spaces.
5. Incorporate diversity, colour and seasonal change into species selections.
INCREASING BIODIVERSITY
Since Macleay’s Swallowtail prefers tree that are grown in rainforest, I chose alternative plan to use common plants that are useful for butterflies in woodlands are oak, willow, elm, buckthorn, Holly and Honeysuckle
To narrow the species that can be grown in Australia, I looked at planting strategy from the Urban Forest planning by the City of Melbourne
Some big, sturdy trees that are found in Southern Melbourne are:
• Red Oak (Quercus Rubra) 28m - trunk of up to 50–100 centimetres, full sun - part shade, With a little regular irrigation, it will grow relatively quickly.
• English Oak
• Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) 20m - canopy 8m, full sun, Will handle most soils from dry to wet. Tolerates periods of drought and air pollution. Prefers a acid, well drained, moist soil. 45cm per year
• Chinese Elm
• Japanese chestnut oak
ECOLOGICAL CORRIDOR
I decided to narrow my design strategy to expand the territory of Macleay’s Swallowtail from Westgate park by Creating a small ecological corridor surrounding the large ambiguous green space, looking at nature strips for potential feeding areas and shelter
However, there are sites that situated in a crowded area and cars passing by such as site 1, 5, and 6. While the other ones have lesser intensity with site 3 being the most private, as it is near pathway to Sheen Oval.
SITE 1
Function: male butterflies territory - mating need large trees to provide big canopy.
Nectar plants for feeding
SITE 2
Function: feeding area
Nectar plants + Host plants
SITE 3
Function: pupa dwelling - small canopy trees, grasses
Host plants for feeding
SITE 4
Function: pupa dwelling (because of wall)
Host plants for caterpillar
SITE 5
Function: feeding area - expansion from initial site
Nectar plants for feeding
SITE 6
Function: male butterflies territory - mating need large trees to provide big canopy.
Nectar plants for feeding
AMBIGUOUS GREEN SPACE
DESIGN PHASES
Taking 10 x 10 m sample from the ambigous green space, I started speculating on the growth rate of plant structure.
This are sample is designed as habitat or dwelling for caterpillar lifestage, because of existing shrubs that will provide food for them.
The existing shrubs and somewhat diverse soil materials can be used for experimentation. Caterpillars can be placed on existing shrubs, and new materials such as rocks and mulchs can be placed immediately.
Vegetation growth rate for this area:
sweet gum medium - fast growth rate from 300 mm - 600 mm per year tulip tree same rate
2m in 1 year = 2.60 m 2m in 5 year = 5 m
kangaroo grass growth rate medium - fast
Grass Drying grass
Underlaying rocky sand
Grass Drying grass
Mulch on top of grass
Underlaying rocky sand
10x10m SITE 1 TYPOLOGY
1:20 @A1
10x10m SITE 1 TYPOLOGY
1:20 @A1
10x10m SITE 1 TYPOLOGY 1:20 @A1
Mulch on top of grass
Evergreen trees such as sweetgum and tulip tree is chosen to provide safe space for caterpillar to transform into pupa. In addition, it can also attract butterflies to mate on tree branches.
1. Mulch brought to site for planting base.
2. New grass and shrubs are also introduced to the site to provide more feeding area for caterpillar: mature bluebells are placed on site, while kangaroo grass is planted due to its fast growth rate.
3. Young sweetgum tree and tulip tree imported and planted by the community, together with rocks to the site.
The trees has yet mature but growing butterflies. Kangaroo grass partially cover
YEAR 5
growing fast, provide breeding place for cover the ground.
Trees have grow to decent size, Shrubs and grasses has spread, creating ideal habitat for caterpillar
PLANTING PALLETTE
NECTAR PLANTS:
All under Asteraceae family
Narrow-leaf New Holland Daisy (Vittadinia muelleri)
GROUND COVER, WILD FLOWER
0.5m / Nov-May / Full Sun - Part Shade
Plants will grow larger and flower more profusely in more fertile soils. Readily recruits from seed.
Yellow button (Chrysocephalum apiculatum)
GROUND COVER, WILD FLOWER
0.5 m / Sep - Feb / Full sun - Partial sun. Prune heavily after flowering or before new growth emerges (typically late winter/summer). May die off in very dry conditions, will reshoot after rain. Can be very useful low ground covers.
Lantana (Lantana Camara) SHRUB
0.5–2 m / evergreen / full sun.
Used as border shrubs and as ground cover in areas with full sunshine in warm climates. Can be planted any time as a perennial or in the spring as an annual.
Kingfisher Daisy (Felicia amelloides)
GROUND COVER, WILD FLOWER
0–0.5 m / bloom year round in mild climates / Full sun
A reasonably robust small plant, tolerant of drought and heat/high solar radiation, but not of high humidity or wet soils. Woody.
Cut-leaf Daisy (Brachyscome multifida)
GROUND COVER, WILD FLOWER
0–0.5 m / spring and summer (Sep - Feb) / Full sun - Partial sun.
Pruning in late winter as new growth begins to emerge is usually best. Some forms are very vigorous and spreading; these are better if pruned after flowering to encourage density. Good for wildflower gardens. Needs reliable moisture levels to flourish.
Common New Holland Daisy (Vittadinia cuneata) PERENNIAL SHRUB
0–0.5 m, Oct-March, Full sun-partial sun
Plants will grow larger and flower more profusely in more fertile soils. Readily recruits from seed. Can tolerate alkaline soils.
Variable Groundsel (Senecio pinnatifolius) GROUND COVER, WILD FLOWER
0.5–1 m / Sep-March / Full sun - partial sun Requires well drained soil and tolerates limes. Perennial variants respond well to pruning after flowering. Can be annual plant or short-lived perennial.
Chamomile Sunray (Rhodanthe anthemoides) PERENNIAL SHRUB
0.3–0.6 m / evergreen / Full sun - Partial sun
Best in soils rich in organic matter. Clip over after flowering to keep bushy. Can be pruned lightly to rejuvenate, but not all - caution is advised: tufting variants with upright stems usually do not respond well to hard pruning. Possibly not a long-lived plant (3-5 years). Self sowing perennial. Flowerheads can be affected by Botrytis cinerea which may extend to stems.
HOST PLANTS:
Shrubs under Rutaceae family. Laurel tree for larvae food source.
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
TREE
20m - canopy 8m/ all season -deciduous / full sun Will handle most soils from dry to wet. Tolerates periods of drought and air pollution. Prefers well drained, moist soil. Grows up to 45cm per year
Standard Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
TREE
3m / evergreen / full sun - partial shade, Prefers fertile moist but well drained soils. Use as the the centrepiece of a vegetable garden, or herb garden. Leaves either fresh or dried can be used as a culinary herb.
Rock Correa (Correa glabra)
SHRUB
1–2 m x 2–3 m / evergreen /Full sun - Partial sun, Full shade.
Plants may be more open in shaded sites. Responds well to regular shearing. Can be kept as low as 60 cm tall.
Common Correa (Correa reflexa)
SHRUB
1–2 m / Feb - Sep / Full sun - Partial sun. Open upright to spreading shrub. May be lightly pruned to encourage flowering and dense growth. Useful as a lhedge, and as groundcover/shrub mass for soil binding. Establishes well under existing trees.
Twiggy Daisy-bush (Olearia ramulosa)
SHRUB
1-2m / evergreen, flowering spring to early winter (Sep - Jun) / Full sun - Partial sun Needs to be pruned for form; can be clipped as a hedge. Possibly not very long lived. Regular pruning extends plant life. Used for screening and low hedge.
Glasswood (Geijera salicifolia)
TREE
25-35m / Sep-Nov grows in rainforest, including dry rainforest, and woodland, and woodland from sea level to an altitude of 880 m.
Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera Fastigiata)
TREE,
8m x4m canopy / all season - deciduous / full sun. Prefers a well drained, fertile, slightly acidic soil in a cooler climate. Avoid harsh windy sites so as not to scorch the leaves. suitable for small to medium sized gardens as they are narrower.
The updated plant list consider using evergreen plants similar to the ones used in precedent project Lurie garden, while the rest uses native plant.
70-30% ratio
HOST PLANTS
Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifer Fastigiata)
Full sun
* Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
Full sun
Twiggy Daisy-bush (Olearia ramulosa)
Full sun - partial sun
* Standard Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
Full sun - partial shade
Rock Correa (Correa glabra)
Full sun - partial sun
Common Correa (Correa reflexa)
Full sun
Glasswood (Geijera salicifolia)
Full sun
NECTAR PLANTS
Narrow-leaf New Holland Daisy (Vittadinia muelleri)
Full sun - partial sun
Yellow button (Chrysocephalum apiculatum)
Full sun - partial sun
* Lantana (Lantana Camara)
Full sun
Kingfisher Daisy (Felicia amelloides)
Full sun - partial sun
Cut-leaf Daisy (Brachyscome multifida)
Full sun - partial sun
Common New Holland Daisy (Vittadinia cuneata)
Full sun - partial sun
Chamomile Sunray (Rhodanthe anthemoides)
Full sun - partial sun
Variable Groundsel (Senecio pinnatifolius)
Full sun - partial sun
PLANTING SCHEDULE
Plants used in Lurie Garden Australia Native Plants * Plants introduced to Australia
SITE 1
SITE 1 MALE BUTTERFLY TERRITORY
Williamstown Rd
Williamstown Rd
Williamstown
Williamstown
Nature strips on driveway consist of eucalyptus tree that has small canopy. Has little diversity. Can be a site for male territory. Adding big trees would bring shade to the roadside. Improving the area in general.
After
SPRING - SUMMER
FALL - WINTER
Some eucalyptus species approx. 8m tall placed along the nature strips
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
Yellow button (Chrysocephalum apiculatum)
Chamomile Sunray (Rhodanthe anthemoides)
Narrow-leaf New Holland Daisy (Vittadinia muelleri)
Changed to mulch cover to retain moisture
DESIGN PHASE
SITE 2 & 3
FEEDING AREA
Williamstown Rd
Williamstown
Kangaroo grass/ Spear grass
Some eucalyptus species concrete pave sandy soil sandy pathway grass
This nature strip near Garden city has a slightly diverse elements. with sandy soil and existing spear grass. Different soils can be used for diverse plantings.
After
SPRING - SUMMER
Variable Groundsel (Senecio pinnatifolius)
Cut-leaf Daisy (Brachyscome multifida)
Lantana (Lantana Camara)
Kingfisher Daisy (Felicia amelloides)
Common New Holland Daisy (Vittadinia cuneata)
Twiggy Daisy-bush (Olearia ramulosa)
Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifer Fastigiata)
Adding compost to add more nutrient to the soil for more fertile soil, as required by plant species
DESIGN PHASE
YEAR 5
building roof
After a boundary between factory and pathway that has ornamental shrubs and grass. The exterior wall and trees can be a potential pupa spot.
Ornamental plants
Common Correa (Correa reflexa) native Rutaceae species
Exterior wall can be a solid structure for pupa to hang
Rock Correa (Correa glabra) native Rutaceae species
Standard Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) for caterpilar food source
Rock surface for larvae to regulate body temperature and a place for lichens to grow in the future
DESIGN PHASE
YEAR 5
REFERENCES
https://butterfly-conservation.org/our-work/habitat-management#:~:text=Butterflies%20and%20moths%20are%20generally,some%20prefer%20the%20tree%20canopy.
melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/greening-the-city/urban-nature/ Pages/urban-nature-planting-guide.aspx
http://biodiversity.melbourne.vic.gov.au/insects/index.html#/butterflies
http://melbourneurbanforestvisual.com.au/ Fisherman Bend Urban Forest 2015 2025. City of Melbourne.
https://www.luriegarden.org/
https://www.area-arch.it/en/jardins-du-tiers-paysage/
https://www.area-arch.it/en/jardins-du-tiers-paysage/
https://australian.museum/learn/animals/insects/macleays-swallowtail/
https://www.climatewatch.org.au/species/insects/macleays-swallowtail
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/papi/macleayanum.html https://www.specialitytrees.com.au/trees/categories/evergreen-gb3bt?page=13
https://www.thespruce.com/add-a-florida-touch-with-lantanaplants-2132142
https://www.thespruce.com/the-difference-between-compost-andmulch-5219355
https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-mulch-1402413