Visual ecology: Outdoor light environment for plant design by computer simulation

This study attempts to show how the duration of building shading impacts the light environment of plants. AutoLISP program language and AutoCAD software are used to develop a 3-D analytic model. Taking the National United University campus as an empirical case, the ratio of sunshade around buildings is simulated and calculated. From the perspective of visual effects and rate of sunlight, "symmetric" or "row" plant design usually ignores the fact that plants are living organisms. Meanwhile, so-called Enviroscaping, a new energy-saving technology, promotes reasonable landscaping decisions. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.