Table 7 : Sustainability aspects and impacts , significance and potential management responses in relation to the maintenance of campus grounds ( Clayton 2013:32 )
ACTIVITY ASPECT IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE MANAGEMENT
Grounds maintenance
Water use |
Resource depletion |
Depends on climate and geography – will be of major significance for some sites |
Fuel use
Fertiliser use
Resource depletion GHG emissions Air pollution
Depends on extent of mechanised maintenance , impacts likely to be moderate
Resource depletion Impacts generally Damage to soil structure moderate , but may be Runoff / eutrophication more significant where a university is located near sensitive natural ecosystems
Herbicide / pesticide use Resource depletion Effects on non-target species Runoff / water pollution Spillage
Biodiversity and ecosystem services
Soil disturbance
Garden organics ( green waste )
Biodiversity and ecosystem services may be maintained , enhanced or reduced , depending on maintenance regime
Erosion Compaction Dust
Reduction of landfill space GHG emissions Impacts of transport to landfill Land and aquifer contamination Production / use of compost
Campus amenity Impact on work / study environment , productivity , quality of life
Local employment
Generally as above ; however the impact of a spill may represent a major risk
Positive or negative impacts range from relatively low to high , depending on location ( urbanised vs . natural ecosystems )
Generally low , but may be moderate , again depending on location
Moderate negative impacts from landfill , but these will increase as landfill space runs out in many regions Moderate positive impact of composting
Moderate positive impacts
Impact on local economy Range from low to relatively high , depending on location
Use recycled water and / or captured rainwater Select low water requirement plants
Substitute biofuels for fossil fuels Purchase fuelefficient equipment Reduce use of mechanical equipment Improve equipment maintenance , training
Replace artificial fertilisers with organic products
Reduce chemical use Substitute non-persistent for persistent chemicals Improve chemical safety – storage , handling , training
Specify local native species Preserve significant vegetation during building works Avoid monocultures Avoid environmental weeds
Apply mulch Use no-till methods
Process garden organics to generate mulch and compost
Continually improve maintenance standards , training
Hire grounds staff from local area
The University Campus as a model of environmental and settlement sustainability 167