An owner has insisted on using a non-native or non-adapted plant species on both the...

Sustainable Sites (SS) Credit: Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat encourages projects to use native or adapted vegetation to restore natural habitats and support local biodiversity.

Using non-native or non-adapted plants negatively impacts this credit because these plants often require excessive irrigation, fertilizers, or pesticides, which can harm local ecosystems.

Vegetated roofs (green roofs) are eligible for this credit, but only if they use native or adapted plant species.

Heat Island Reduction (Option C) focuses on materials and shading, not plant selection.

Light Pollution Reduction (Option D) relates to outdoor lighting, not vegetation choices.

The use of non-native plants most directly affects habitat restoration efforts, making Option B the correct answer.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)