Page 43 - GRIHA Manual Volume II - Introduction to National Rating System
P. 43
Sustainable site planning 35
Figure 2 Loose topsoil being carried away from a ield Figure 3 No attempt at protection of vegetative cover or
by rainwater topsoil on this site.
Source http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Runoff_ Source http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Deforestation/Images/
of_soil_%26_fertilizer.jpg amazon_soil.jpg>
Our actions generally tend to pollute the soil beyond repair. In most cases, the topsoil is simply
discarded and fresh soil is excavated from another site for landscape requirements.
Ecologically, topsoil is a resource that takes many years to come up to an acceptable level of
nutrient-richness and fertility. Topsoil or humus, is a rich mix of organic matter such as animal waste,
manure, plant remains such as fallen leaves and fruits. All these, depending on the vegetation and
the sub-soil characteristics, give a certain quality to the soil, which allows specific trees and plants
(vegetation) to grow in it. The vegetation then further supports several million life forms such as
Figure 4 Vegetative cover is very effective in preventing loose topsoil from being being carried away from a ield by rainwater
Source http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Runoff_of_soil_%26_fertilizer.jpg
Figure 2 Loose topsoil being carried away from a ield Figure 3 No attempt at protection of vegetative cover or
by rainwater topsoil on this site.
Source http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Runoff_ Source http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Deforestation/Images/
of_soil_%26_fertilizer.jpg amazon_soil.jpg>
Our actions generally tend to pollute the soil beyond repair. In most cases, the topsoil is simply
discarded and fresh soil is excavated from another site for landscape requirements.
Ecologically, topsoil is a resource that takes many years to come up to an acceptable level of
nutrient-richness and fertility. Topsoil or humus, is a rich mix of organic matter such as animal waste,
manure, plant remains such as fallen leaves and fruits. All these, depending on the vegetation and
the sub-soil characteristics, give a certain quality to the soil, which allows specific trees and plants
(vegetation) to grow in it. The vegetation then further supports several million life forms such as
Figure 4 Vegetative cover is very effective in preventing loose topsoil from being being carried away from a ield by rainwater
Source http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Runoff_of_soil_%26_fertilizer.jpg
