The advancement of urbanization and globalization has impacted every corner of the Earth， human activities have transformed over one-third of the planet's ecosystems, including agricultural lands and urban areas. Thus, there is an urgent need to define and achieve the equilibrium of novel ecosystems.
This study employed pragmatic designed experiments as its core method, integrating methodologies from empiricism, positivism, and romanticism to propose a semi-empirical ecological design framework that emphasizes learning by doing and research through practice. The framework encompasses three steps: prototyping, designed experiments, and monitoring and adjustment.
Specifically, the initial step in ecological design involves selecting form prototypes that resonate with ecological significance for subsequent designed experiments. Designed experiment frames design projects as repeatable ecological experimental units, aiming to validate ecological hypotheses while achieving functional and aesthetic goals. And the monitoring and adjustment phase is pivotal for the continuous optimization of design forms, acting as the foundation for effective ecosystem design and management.
Haizhu Wetland, located in the central urban area of Guangzhou, covers an area of 1,100 hm2. Anthropocene ecosystem, where natural and artificial elements converge. In 2019, the launch of the Guangzhou Haizhu Wetland Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration Project marked a significant step towards creating an urban central life community, along with objectives to foster diverse river networks, productive wetlands, minimal-intervention habitats, complete ecological cycles, and enduring societal support. To achieve the five sub-goals while considering the specific conditions of each plot, this project combined form prototypes with different ecological effects to ultimately establish 5 designed experiments. These experiments include Mound-based Orchard Wetland System by Integrating Local, Enhanced Paddy Field System by Integrating Local Knowledge and Ecological Theoretical Wisdom, Bird Island Through Spatial Realization of an Ecological Theoretical Prototype, High-tide Habitat Through Spatial Realization of an Ecological Theoretical Prototype and Low-Maintenance Resilient Water System—Integrating Novel and Traditional Technologies to Sustain Cultural Complex.
Haizhu Wetland Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration Project has now completed prototyping and experiment design phases. Although assessment indicators were established, the monitoring and adjustment phase has not been fully implemented, and the effectiveness of the ecological design approach remains to be further verified. However, initial monitoring data from the sites show positive trends: a significant increase in visitor number to the wetland park; an annual increase of 4 to 7 bird species observed; and the addition of 392 insect species, including 2 newly named species. The 5 designed experiments in the project have achieved various degrees of goals, with the enhanced paddy field system and bird island showing notable results, while the mound-based orchard wetland system, high-tide habitat, and low-maintenance resilient water system require further adjustments and optimization.
These insights partially reveal how the ecological design practice, encompassing prototyping, designed experiment, and monitoring and adjustment, showcases the feasibility of integrating ecological research with practical application to steer ecological design optimization and enhance the resilience of anthropogenic ecosystems.
The work entitled "Ecological Designed Experiment Method Based on Pragmatism: A Case Study of Haizhu Wetland Restoration Project in Guangzhou, China" was published on the journal of Landscape Architecture Frontiers (February 15, 2024).
