Effects of Replanting Vacant Lots with Vegetation on Water Retention Capabilities in Comparison to Abandoned Lots

Effects of Replanting Vacant Lots with Vegetation on Water Retention Capabilities in Comparison to Abandoned Lots

Introduction

Stormwater runoff is the term used for the excess precipitation that is not absorbed by natural processes. It instead flows along pavement and other impervious surfaces to bodies of water (Green Infrastructure, 2013). After evaluating the processes of stormwater absorption and runoff, many sources have found that urbanization is a major concern in regards to water pollution. As urbanization increases, the amount of green surface area that is able to absorb stormwater decreases. The excess water, or runoff, travels across the impervious surfaces and is a significant contributing factor in the pollutants that make their way to local waterways and bodies of water. Thus, it can be concluded that if there is less stormwater runoff, then there will consequently be less pollution that is picked up and transferred to water sources.

Multiple attempts at solutions have been developed to help solve the problem of stormwater runoff pollution, by creating structures and projects meant to increase water retention. These efforts must be continued, because as urbanization increases, so will the stormwater runoff. This is a serious concern that needs to be addressed because it has effects on the population, environment, and the economy. The focus of this research will be on green infrastructure, and more specifically, land reclamation. Land reclamation is a process being utilized by The Greening of Detroit. In this process, the abandoned lots are reclaimed and stripped of any unwanted vegetation, cleared of debris, and then replanted with desirable vegetation with the goal of increasing rainwater absorption and decreasing stormwater runoff. The purpose of this research will be to answer the question: What effect does land reclamation have on the capability of stormwater retention and runoff?

Literature Review

The increase of flooding in major U.S. cities is becoming a growing concern, which can be attributed to the increasing amount of urbanization. The process of urbanization decreases the amount of vegetation and green space, both aspects that are crucial in water absorption, and also increases impervious surface cover (ISC). Impervious surface cover refers to areas of land where residential and industrial structures have been built, and therefore cannot absorb precipitation. Thus, the moderations of landscape in urbanization play a direct role in the increase of water runoff during storms. Flooding is a problem because of the pollutants that it carries to nearby bodies of water. (LandCare Program, 2013)

The stormwater runoff that is produced in urban areas has been characterized as a major contributor to the