Sharing the Ecotone

Coastal infrastructure like seawalls have created a condition along our urban coastlines where the inland migration of intertidal species will be restricted. Due to changes in climate and the subsequent effects of sea level rise, these ecosystems will face gradual but imminent habitat reduction. As designers, we need effective and efficient means of engaging with intertidal ecology to ensure that critical species that are most at risk from coastal squeeze will be retained. Wellington’s coastline is one of many examples where urban areas with heavily modified coastlines will be facing the effects of coastal squeeze. Omarukaikuru (Point Jerningham) supports a range of rocky intertidal habitat that due to significant coastal modification in the form of seawalls will be under threat due to the effects of coastal squeeze. The reason that sites like this and many more around Wellington’s coast continue to be designed in such a way is largely due to the time it takes to engage meaningfully with coastal ecology, and the absence of applicable methods that bridge the gap between ecology and landscape architecture. This research explores methods of engaging and mapping site ecology while also synthesizing ways in which this knowledge can inform design. Methods explored include, aerial lidar mapping, mapping of species distribution and behavior as well as the testing of design prototypes through installations. These methods are trialed in the design of the coastal edge at Omarukaikuru. This trial communicates how methods of engaging with site ecology are translated into ecologically sensitive design outcomes.