LEED AP with Operations and Maintenance (O+M ) Practice Exam

What approach should a project take to achieve exemplary performance in site development?

1. Maximize impervious surfaces

2. Reduce the size of the site

3. Increase the area of native/adapted vegetation

4. Implement aggressive landscaping with non-native species

The correct answer is: Increase the area of native/adapted vegetation

To achieve exemplary performance in site development, increasing the area of native or adapted vegetation is the most effective approach. This strategy supports several key objectives of sustainable site development, including biodiversity conservation, soil stabilization, and water management. Native plants are well-suited to the local climate and soil conditions, requiring less maintenance, irrigation, and chemical inputs, which aligns with sustainable practices. Enhancing native vegetation also helps restore local ecosystems, providing habitat for wildlife and promoting ecological resilience. This can lead to reduced stormwater runoff and improved water quality, as native vegetation typically has a higher rate of infiltration compared to conventional landscaping. In contrast, maximizing impervious surfaces is detrimental to the environment as it increases water runoff, disrupts the natural water cycle, and contributes to urban heat islands. Reducing the size of the site generally limits development options and could hinder efforts to create a sustainable landscape. Implementing aggressive landscaping with non-native species can lead to various ecological issues, such as increased resource demands and potential invasiveness, negatively impacting local biodiversity. Therefore, focusing on increasing native or adapted vegetation is the most beneficial and supportive approach for exemplary performance in site development.