Soils for Landscape Development Edition 2

Foreword to first edition
About the authors
Preface
1. Introduction
1.1 Why are these soil specifications needed?
1.2 The function of this handbook
1.3 Who will use this handbook?
1.4 Key benefits
1.5 Structure of this handbook
1.6 How to use this handbook to drive your project
1.7 Due diligence and responsibilities
2. Introduction to soil fundamentals for landscape architects and designers
2.1 Soil fundamentals summary – for landscape architects and designers
2.2 Pedology – the nature of soil profiles
2.3 Soil physics
2.4 Understanding compaction
2.5 Waterlogging and lack of oxygen
2.6 Soil chemistry
2.7 The importance of pH
2.8 Soil biology
2.9 General further reading list
3. Understanding soils for landscape development
3.1 Understanding and investigating site soils
3.2 Natural soils
3.3 Disturbed, artificial or manufactured soils
3.4 Soil contamination
3.5 Soil remediation
3.6 Site soil survey
3.7 Sampling and analysis
3.8 Reporting on soil conditions
3.9 The ‘soil approach’ process
3.10 Bringing the soil selection process and design together
3.11 Identification of ‘fit for purpose’
3.12 Amelioration and improvement
3.13 Specification case study 1: ‘Woo-la-ra’, Sydney Olympic Park (SOP), NSW, Australia
3.14 Specification case study 2: Barangaroo, Sydney City former port, NSW
3.15 Specification case study 3: One Central Park, Broadway, Sydney
3.16 Lessons from failed projects (three examples of common landscape soil failures)
4. Soil design
4.1 Project initiation
4.2 Site soil analysis
4.3 Landscape balance (prioritising project factors)
4.4 Landscape objectives
4.5 Influence of soil on design
4.6 Soil choice versus design
4.7 The Soil Approach Method
4.8 Choosing the profile form for Part I of the soil specifications
4.9 Specifying soil depths
4.10 Specifying drainage types
4.11 Specifying soil volumes
4.12 Specifying the soil volumes, profile structures and depths for trees in areas with limited soil
4.13 Choosing the Part III product specifications
4.14 Mulches
4.15 Specifications for mulch
4.16 Creating artificial and specialist growing media
5. Guidance to using the soil performance specifications
5.1 Using the templates
5.2 Structure
5.3 Scope
5.4 Variations and non-compliance
5.5 Test methods
5.6 How to construct your soil specification
5.7 Small and low budget projects and using ‘off the shelf’ soil products: simple advice and basic testing
6. The performance specifications
Part I A Site investigation/analysis
General background
Specification A1: Site soil investigation and characterisation
Specification A2: Site subgrade investigation and characterisation for disturbed sites
Part II B Preparatory soil works
Specification B1: Stripping and stockpiling
Specification B2: Site subgrade preparation
Specification B3: Imported subsoil
Specification B4: Soil schedules (profiles, volumes and depths)
Schedule of soil horizon depths
Tree rooting volumes table
Part III C Soils for turf and lawns
Specification C1: Passive amenity turf
Specification C2: Active high-traffic turf
Specification C3: Sports field turf
Part III D Soils for gardens and mass planting
Specification D1: Mass planting soil
Specification D2: Garden bed planting soil
Specification D3: High fertility display and vegetable production topsoil
Specification D4: Advanced tree and vault subsoils
PART III E On slab media
Specification E1: On slab soil media ‘A’ horizon
Specification E2: On slab soil media ‘B’ horizon
Specification E3: Low-density container and green roof
Specification E4: Ultra lightweight growing media ‘A’ only horizon (for extensive rooftops with shallow growing media profiles)
Part III F Specialist soils
Specification F1: Structural support soil
Specification F2: Raingardens, biofiltration and stormwater filtration soils
Specification F3: Wetland soils
Part IV G Validation specifications
Specification G1: Quality assurance and control
Specification G2: Hold points and ‘fit-for-purpose’ statements
Specification G3: Compliance certification ‘fit-for-purpose’ statement and test method references
Bibliography – test methods
Appendix A: Technical information, sampling and test methods
A1 Taking in situ soil samples
A2 Stockpile sampling procedures
A3 Soil testing methods
A4 Chemical tests for landscape soils
A5 Physical soil-testing methods
A6 Note on hydraulic conductivity or permeability testing
Appendix B: Forms and templates
B1 Site soil analysis checklist
B2 Example soil analysis results
B3 Soil test request form
Appendix C: Soil rooting volumes for trees
C1 General overview
C2 Rooting depth
C3 Shared rooting volumes and surrounding soil
C4 Tree pit openings
C5 Soil Volume Simulator smallest and largest volumes for trees
C6 Applying scientific rules to biological systems
C7 Reference documents and experiments relating to recommended minimum soil volumes
C8 Reference list and further reading for tree roots and volumes
Glossary of industry terms
Index

Simon Leake

Simon Leake is Technical Director of SESL (Sydney Environmental and Soil Laboratory) and a soil science subject matter expert with over 40 years' experience. He has expertise in soil/vegetation rehabilitation and reconstruction such as in mine sites and urban renewal projects, in field pedology, soil chemistry and soil physics and particularly the application of these to land management including landscape development, waste to land application and environmental contamination. He has extensive experience in composting and waste resource recycling to land and SESL runs several monitoring programs for waste to land recycling.

Elke Haege

Elke Haege Thorvaldson FAILA, MAIH has over 24 years of experience and is passionate about the development of and sustainable connections to natural systems, particularly in urban environments. She is an award-winning registered landscape architect and fellow of The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), a consulting arborist and member of the Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH). Elke has worked on projects in Australia, China, Denmark, the UK and North America.