TABLE OF CONTENTS The intent of this credit is to maintain as much of the native or adapted biological species as possible in a region. There are many reasons for this. Obviously, native and adapted species would survive well in the local climate without much additional irrigation and maintenance. There is also the desire for biodiversity in this world. Maintaining native vegetation in all regions is important both for plant biodiversity and for the local fauna to survive. It is desirable to maintain habitat for many biologically diverse organisms, not just for ecological reasons, but also because it has been found that a world with rich biodiversity benefits humans in the form of potential medicines and other products.
LEED-NC 2.2 lists the Intent, Requirements, and Potential Technologies and Strategies for this credit as follows:
Intent
Conserve existing natural areas and restore damaged areas to provide habitat and promote biodiversity.
Requirements
On greenfield sites, limit all site disturbance to 40 feet beyond the building perimeter; 10 feet beyond surface walkways, patios, surface parking and utilities less than 12 inches in diameter; 15 feet beyond primary roadway curbs and main utility branch trenches; and 25 feet beyond constructed areas with permeable surfaces (such as pervious paving areas, stormwater detention facilities and playing fields) that require additional staging areas in order to limit compaction in the constructed area.
OR
On previously developed or graded sites, restore...
