An Experiment Assessing the Potential for Compost-Amended Lawn Topsoil to Inhibit Storm Quickflow

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dc.contributor.advisorBello, Richard
dc.creatorPorteous, Daniel Philip
dc.date.accessioned2017-07-27T12:40:19Z
dc.date.available2017-07-27T12:40:19Z
dc.date.copyright2016-11-28
dc.date.issued2017-07-27
dc.date.updated2017-07-27T12:40:19Z
dc.degree.disciplineGeography
dc.degree.levelMaster's
dc.degree.nameMSc - Master of Science
dc.description.abstractUrbanisation creates immense challenges for the environment due to increasing impervious surface coverage enhancing quickflow discharge in the catchment. This makes increasing surface infiltration and soil water retention in urban areas a matter of high importance. Lawns, forming a substantial fraction of suburban space, are a potentially useful medium in this regard. Four lawn test plots were constructed by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to examine the usefulness of increased topsoil depth and organic matter content (using compost) in improving soil characteristics and limiting quickflow discharge from lawns. Results indicated each lawn met TRCA-recommended soil guidelines, but the addition of compost did not produce discernable decreases in quickflow discharge, although infiltration rates were substantially increased. However, several limitations to the TRCA experiment were identified. A critique and a set of recommendations for experimental design improvement are included and explored.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10315/33456
dc.language.isoen
dc.rightsAuthor owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.
dc.subjectEnvironmental science
dc.subject.keywordsLawns
dc.subject.keywordsRunoff
dc.subject.keywordsQuick flow
dc.subject.keywordsInfiltration
dc.subject.keywordsTopsoil
dc.subject.keywordsCompost
dc.subject.keywordsLow-impact development
dc.subject.keywordsSustainable urban design
dc.subject.keywordsBest management practices
dc.subject.keywordsToronto and Region Conservation Authority
dc.subject.keywordsTRCA
dc.subject.keywordsUrban soil
dc.subject.keywordsKortright Centre for Conservation
dc.titleAn Experiment Assessing the Potential for Compost-Amended Lawn Topsoil to Inhibit Storm Quickflow
dc.typeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation

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