large_image30.jpg

medium_image30.jpg

small_image30.jpg

thumbnail_image30.jpg

image30.jpg

# **Glossary**

**Beaver Pond** A water body created by beavers (*Castor sp.*) through damming streams or rivers, supporting diverse habitats and ecosystems.

**Castor sp.** A genus of beavers, including North American (*Castor canadensis*) and Eurasian (*Castor fiber*) species, known for their ecosystem engineering.

**Ecosystem Engineers** Organisms, such as beavers, that modify habitats and create new ecosystems through their activities, benefiting other species.

**Firn** Compacted, granular snow that is an intermediate stage between snow and glacial ice.

**Firn Line** The boundary on a glacier between areas of snow accumulation and areas of exposed glacial ice.

**Glacial Geomorphology** The study of landforms created by glacial processes, including erosion, deposition, and ice movement.

**Hyporheic Zone** The area beneath and adjacent to a stream where surface water and groundwater mix, supporting nutrient exchange and biodiversity.

**Landscape Architect** A professional who designs and plans land use with ecological, aesthetic, and functional considerations.

**Moraine** Accumulations of rock and soil debris deposited by a glacier, often forming ridges or mounds.

**Plastic Flow** The movement of glacial ice under its own weight, where ice behaves like a plastic material under pressure.

**Pleistocene Epoch** A geological time period from approximately 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, characterized by repeated glaciations.

**Runnel** Small canals dug by beavers to provide water access for their ponds and dams.

**Terminal Moraine** A ridge of debris deposited at the furthest point of a glacier's advance.

**Till** Unsorted glacial debris deposited directly by melting ice, consisting of clay, sand, gravel, and boulders.

**U-Shaped Valley** A valley carved by glacial activity, characterized by steep sides and a flat bottom.

**Watershed** An area of land where all water drains to a common water body, such as a lake, river, or ocean.

**Zoogeomorphology** The study of how animals, like beavers, impact geomorphic processes and shape Earth's surface.


Glossary

**Landscape Architecture Design Brief**

**Project: Designing a Beaver-Assisted Water Retention Landscape**

**Learning Objectives:**

· Identify the signs of beaver presence on the landscape

· Analyze beaver presence on the landscape relative to their ecological and geomorphic impacts.

· Investigate the geomorphic features and processes associated with beaver ponds in mountain floodplain landscapes, focusing on hydrology, sedimentation, and landscape evolution.

· Evaluate the ecological and geomorphological implications of beaver presence in landscape architecture with the integration of beaver-induced features into landscape design.

**Project Statement:**

Water retention landscapes assist in the sustainable architecture if interventions to manage water flow and retention for human communities. Moreover, the wetland features reduce flooding and promote biodiversity. Beaver (*Castor canadensis*) ecosystems serve as natural models for such landscapes because of their ability to modify environments through dam-building, a process known as **ecosystem engineering**. Beaver activity significantly impacts geomorphology, hydrology, and ecology, exemplifying **zoogeomorphic agency**. Landscape architects must integrate these ecological concepts to create innovative, resilient designs that harmonize with natural processes.

In this project, students will design a water retention landscape for a human community using beavers as partners in the process. Designs should reflect an understanding of both the physical and biological impacts of beaver-engineered environments and address community needs for water management, recreation, and biodiversity conservation.

**Pin-Up Requirements:**

**Seven (07) 11” x 17” Sheets (Landscape Orientation):**

1.  **Site Analytics:**

    - Existing site conditions, water flow analysis, current challenges.

    - Infographics on beaver habitat requirements and behavior patterns.

2.  **Concept:**

    - Design statement connecting beaver ecosystem engineering principles with landscape architecture.

    - Sketches illustrating the role of beavers as natural engineers.

3.  **Proposed Masterplan:**

    - Fully rendered and annotated plan showcasing water retention zones, beaver habitats, and community integration.

4.  **Isometric of Key Features:**

    - Rendered 3D views of critical structures (e.g., beaver dams, lodges, flood management features).

5.  **Cross-Sections (2-3):**

    - Sections showing the relationship between human spaces, beaver habitats, and water management infrastructure.

6.  **Additional Visuals:**

    - Perspectives and analytic drawings highlighting ecosystem dynamics and benefits.

7.  **Design Performance:**

    - Description of how the design improves water retention and biodiversity using infographics and metrics.

    - Comparison of natural versus traditional engineering approaches.


Landscape Architecture Design Brief

### **Grading Rubric: Beaver-Assisted Water Retention Landscape Design**

| **Criterion**                     | **Inadequate**                                                              | **Basic**                                                                         | **Accomplished**                                                                    | **Exemplary**                                                                                   | **% of Grade** |
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|
| **Site Analytics**                | Missing or inaccurate site analysis and beaver-related data.                | Basic site conditions mapped, but beaver data lacks depth.                        | Site analysis covers conditions and beaver presence with reasonable detail.         | Comprehensive site analysis including in-depth water flow and beaver impact evaluation.         | **15%**        |
| **Concept & Design Storytelling** | Concept lacks clarity, no connection between beaver engineering and design. | Basic connection between beaver ecosystems and design; minimal narrative.         | Clear concept illustrating the role of beaver engineering; requires verbal support. | Excellent conceptual narrative; effectively integrates beaver principles with landscape design. | **20%**        |
| **Graphic Design Quality**        | Poor visuals; inconsistent layout, colors, and annotations.                 | Basic graphic consistency; limited clarity in visuals and layout.                 | Good visual quality; clear layouts and annotations, consistent design.              | Outstanding visuals; cohesive and professional graphic design across all sheets.                | **15%**        |
| **Technology Proficiency**        | Lacks digital tool integration; low-quality maps and visuals.               | Basic use of digital tools; visuals lack refinement.                              | Proficient digital tool use; maps and graphics are clear.                           | Advanced digital proficiency; high-quality visuals and seamless integration.                    | **10%**        |
| **Research & Analysis**           | Missing or superficial research on beaver impact and geomorphology.         | Basic research with limited analysis of beaver impacts and landscape integration. | Detailed research on beaver geomorphic impacts and ecological benefits.             | Excellent research; deep analysis and innovative integration of beaver features into design.    | **25%**        |
| **Content Completeness**          | Several required components missing or incomplete.                          | All required components present but lacking depth or details.                     | All sheets and visuals present with minor omissions in details.                     | All components present with detailed, professional-quality execution.                           | **15%**        |
