10.2190/0GH4-8W5X-FLXM-L3CR 0GH48W5XFLXML3CR 6 An Energy and Ecological Analysis of Alternate Residential Landscapes 271 288 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 0GH48W5XFLXML3CR.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=0GH48W5XFLXML3CR 3 John H. Parker Physical Science Department, Florida International University A number of recent studies suggest the use of vegetative landscaping to reduce heat gain by a residential structure during the cooling season, thereby significantly reducing the energy used for air conditioning. In order to determine overall energy savings, energy consumed in maintaining the residential landscape should be considered. This study has included an energy flow analysis of alternate residential landscapes in a manner similar to that typically done on natural ecosystems. In particular, energy inputs and flows involved in the purchase, installation and maintenance of various combinations of lawn, shrubs and trees have been analyzed. This analysis, along with calculated investment ratios, indicates which landscape designs and practices will minimize fossil fuel inputs, best utilize natural energy flows and minimize negative ecological impacts. W. Flemer, III, Planting for Energy Conservation, <i>Solar Radiation Considerations in Building, Planning and Design</i>, National Academy of Science, Washington, D. C., p. 127, 1976. J. R. Hastings and R. W. Crenshaw, <i>Window Design Strategies to Conserve Energy</i>, National Bureau of Standards, pp. 1-5, 1977. J. H. Parker, Precision Landscaping for Energy Conservation, <i>Proceedings of the National Conference on Technology for Energy Conservation</i>, Tucson, AR, pp. 151-156, January 1979. D. S. Parker and J. H. Parker, Energy Conservation Landscaping as a Passive Solar System, <i>Proceedings of the Fourth National Passive Solar Conference</i>, Kansas City, MO, pp. 471-474, October 1979. J. H. Parker, Uses of Landscaping for Energy Conservation, Report to the Florida Governor's Energy Office, January 1981. J. H. Falk, Energetics of a Suburban Lawn Ecosystem, <i>Ecology, 57</i>, pp. 141-150, 1976. H. T. Odum and E. C. Odum, <i>Energy Basis for Man and Nature</i>, McGraw-Hill, 1976. R. A. Herendeen and C. W. Bullard, III, Energy Costs of Goods and Services, 1963 and 1967, Document No. 140, Center for Advanced Computation, University of Illinois, 1974. F. C. Wang, H. T. Odum, and R. Costanza, "Energy Criteria for Water Use," unpublished manuscript, Center for Wetlands, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 1979.