TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theSustainable Sites (SS) Prerequisite: Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat, which sets requirements for landscaping to protect local ecosystems. A key aspect is preventing the introduction of invasive plant species that can harm biodiversity.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
SS Prerequisite: Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat
Do not introduce any invasive plant species into the landscape. Invasive species are defined as those that are non-native and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause environmental harm.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Sustainable Sites Prerequisite: Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat, p. 72.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
SS Prerequisite: Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat
The project must not use invasive plant species in landscaping to protect native ecosystems and prevent ecological disruption.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The prerequisite requires that projectsintroduce no invasive plant species(Option C) to ensure landscaping supports local biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Why not the other options?
[Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, SS Credit: Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat, p. 74., B. Use plants native to the region: Native plants are encouraged in credits (e.g., WE Credit: Outdoor Water Use or SS Credit: Site Development), but the prerequisite only mandates avoiding invasive species.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, SS Prerequisite: Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat, p. 72., D. Select plants qualifying as drought tolerant: Drought-tolerant plants are relevant toWE Credit: Outdoor Water Use, not the SS prerequisite.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, WE Credit: Outdoor Water Use, p. 98., TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes SS prerequisites, including landscaping requirements, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of the invasive species requirement., References:, LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Sustainable Sites Prerequisite: Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat, p. 72., LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online (https://www.usgbc.org/credits)., LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and exam scope based on LEED v4)., USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website (https://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4)., LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming invasive species prohibition., ]
