Graduation Semester and Year
Summer 2025
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Landscape Architecture
Department
Landscape Architecture
First Advisor
Dr. Austin Allen
Second Advisor
Dr. Joowon Im
Third Advisor
Dr. Jared Barnes
Abstract
Many studies are focused on the benefits of including natural and ecoregional landscape design within urban habitats; however, a focused approach to how landscape architects can begin including ecological applications within their planting designs has not been fully assessed. Once the knowledge gap between ecology and how landscape architects plan landscape plantings is fully realized, research on the benefits of bringing nature back to urban environments can be thoroughly assessed. It is common knowledge that landscape design involves creating aesthetically pleasing plant combinations based on simple site characteristics that can influence how a plant grows (Tabassum S. et al., 2020; Avolio et al., 2018). It is also common practice within the industry to use a quick site analysis based on defined ecoregional plant lists or simple site characteristics to suggest plant combinations. A phrase readily used within the landscape design trade that defines the basic site analysis has been summed up as “right plant, right place.” The purpose of this study was to identify a practical and economical methodology for incorporating principles found within the Competitor, Stress-Tolerator, Ruderal (CSR) Theory into naturally inspired or native planting designs. Using CSR principles within landscape architecture aims to introduce a planting methodology that can mimic natural plant survival strategies for minimal input and low-impact landscape design. Bridging the ecological knowledge gap within landscape architecture creates a path for increased and more accurate native and naturalistic planting opportunities within urban habitats.
Keywords
Native plants, ecoregional plants, plants, CSR Theory, J. Philip Grime, Soil texture, soils, native, indigenous, Texas, Llano, plant community, survival strategies
Disciplines
Landscape Architecture
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Theiss, James E., "Correlating CSR Theory and Soil Texture to Bridge the Gap in Ecological Planting Strategies For Landscape Architecture" (2025). Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses. 316.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/landscapearch_theses/316