Abstract
Green infrastructure, specifically rain gardens, are increasingly used to manage urban runoff. Rain gardens vary in design and composition for a mix of aesthetic and functional reasons. Due to this variability, key performance drivers are hard to identify. This study evaluated 100 vegetated rain gardens in Lancaster, PA across seasons to determine which aspects of rain garden design impact performance. Gardens varied in size, slope, plant composition, planting density, and soil characteristics. There were significant seasonal differences in both performance (as measured by infiltration) and garden characteristics. Soil water content, compaction, and electrical conductivity along with plant species diversity significantly impacted infiltration. Certain plant species - Vernonia baldwinii (Ironweed), Nepeta cataria (Catmint), Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire), Rudbeckia sp. (Coneflower), and Eragrostis pectinacea (Purple Lovegrass) were present in high abundance and found to be drivers of performance. The results of this study demonstrate the diversity of factors that influence rain garden performance and highlight the importance of aligning soil and plant characteristics with specific outcome goals.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 107208 |
| Journal | Ecological Engineering |
| Volume | 201 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2024 Elsevier B.V.
Funding
The authors thank the City of Lancaster Department of Public Works, especially Angela Brackbill, for collaborating and providing valuable information on Lancaster rain gardens. Topographic maps were made available by the city GIS coordinator, Glen Recknagel. We also acknowledge students from the Franklin and Marshall College “Plants and the Environment” course who collected winter data - Ashley Atcavage, Becca Barter, Lena Berry, Eamon Black, Hannah Connuck, Kirsten Heine, Mya Jackson, Jeremiah Kaplan, Mikaela Lewandowski, Fiona Maloney, Sarah Marsan, Collin Martin, Scott Martin, Grace Oram, Daniel Rotante, Xander Schubert, Caroline Tippett, and Winnie Wei. Figures were made with the assistance of Luke Groff. Financial support for this research was provided by the Center for Sustained Engagement with Lancaster City and the Franklin and Marshall College Lucille and William Hackman endowment . The authors thank the City of Lancaster Department of Public Works, especially Angela Brackbill, for collaborating and providing valuable information on Lancaster rain gardens. Topographic maps were made available by the city GIS coordinator, Glen Recknagel. We also acknowledge students from the Franklin and Marshall College “Plants and the Environment” course who collected winter data - Ashley Atcavage, Becca Barter, Lena Berry, Eamon Black, Hannah Connuck, Kirsten Heine, Mya Jackson, Jeremiah Kaplan, Mikaela Lewandowski, Fiona Maloney, Sarah Marsan, Collin Martin, Scott Martin, Grace Oram, Daniel Rotante, Xander Schubert, Caroline Tippett, and Winnie Wei. Figures were made with the assistance of Luke Groff. Financial support for this research was provided by the Center for Sustained Engagement with Lancaster City and the Franklin and Marshall College Lucille and William Hackman endowment.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Center for Sustained Engagement | |
| City of Lancaster Department of Public Works | |
| Franklin and Marshall College Lucille and William Hackman endowment | |
| Franklin and Marshall College “Plants and the Environment |
Keywords
- Green infrastructure
- Infiltration
- Plant diversity
- Rain garden
- Runoff
- Stormwater management
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Engineering
- Nature and Landscape Conservation
- Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law