Learn key strategies for minimizing the environmental impact of new construction projects. Expert insights for the USGBC LEED Green Associate certification exam.
Table of Contents
Question
Which of the following is a strategy that a design team should consider In order to decrease the Impact of a new construction project?
A. Maximize views of the existing wetland
B. Select native plants to provide habitat for local fauna
C. Locate the project in an existing office park with ample parking
D. Increase the project’s footprint to maximize roof space for a solar array
Answer
B. Select native plants to provide habitat for local fauna
Explanation
Selecting native plants to provide habitat for local fauna is a strategy that a design team should consider in order to decrease the impact of a new construction project. Native plants are plants that have evolved in a specific region and have adapted to the local climate and soil conditions.
Native plants can offer many benefits for the environment, such as:
- Reducing water use and runoff by requiring less irrigation and fertilization
- Enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services by supporting native wildlife and pollinators
- Improving air quality and mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Increasing soil health and stability by preventing erosion and improving infiltration
- Creating a sense of place and cultural identity by reflecting the natural heritage of the region
The other options are not strategies that would decrease the impact of a new construction project. Maximizing views of the existing wetland may improve occupant satisfaction, but it does notnecessarily reduce the environmental footprint of the project. Locating the project in an existing office park with ample parking may reduce land use and transportation impacts, but it may also increase heat island effect and stormwater runoff. Increasing the project’s footprint to maximize roof space for a solar array may increase renewable energy generation, but it may also increase site disturbance, material use, and energy demand.
Selecting native plants is an effective strategy to decrease the environmental impact of a new construction project for several reasons:
- Native plants are well-adapted to local climate conditions, requiring less water, fertilizer, and maintenance compared to non-native species. This reduces the need for resource-intensive landscaping.
- By providing habitat for local fauna, native plants help maintain biodiversity and support the local ecosystem. This aligns with LEED’s goals of minimizing ecological disturbance and protecting natural habitats.
- Native plants can also help prevent soil erosion, improve water quality, and reduce the urban heat island effect by providing natural shade and evapotranspiration.
The other options are less effective strategies:
A. Maximizing views of an existing wetland does not actively decrease the project’s impact and could potentially encourage disturbance of the wetland.
C. Locating the project in an existing office park with ample parking does not address the project’s direct environmental impact and may encourage car dependence.
D. Increasing the project’s footprint to maximize roof space for a solar array conflicts with the goal of minimizing the project’s impact on the site. While renewable energy is important, it should not come at the cost of unnecessarily expanding the building footprint.
In summary, selecting native plants is the most effective strategy among the given options to decrease the impact of a new construction project, aligning with LEED principles of sustainable site development and ecosystem protection.
USGBC LEED Green Associate certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the USGBC LEED Green Associate exam and earn USGBC LEED Green Associate certification.