EcoCover System Case Studies:
Local Government Commercial Landscaping Project, Auckland

Location: Murphys Bush, Manukau City, Auckland. Project with Manukau City Council 2005

TRANSITION REGION - Day 1 Initial planting EcoCover;
with mulch added later. No EcoCover on right. Planted late spring.

TRANSITION REGION - Day 461 Compare the weeds on
the right where no EcoCover with weed free space on the left.

No EcoCover - Day 461 Mulch only extensive weed cover.

EcoCover - Day 1 Planting with EcoCover nb
the edge of grass no EcoCover but mulch added.

EcoCover - Day 442 The EcoCover has provided excellent weed control,
healthy plants nb the weeds at the grass edge where no EcoCover was placed.

EcoCover - Day 461 Note 19 days later the weed growth at the grass edge with
no EcoCover, just mulch, compare this with the weed free EcoCovered back ground.

EcoCover - Day 1 Planted with EcoCover and mulch
nb the grass edge with no EcoCover.

EcoCover - Day 461 Excellent growth, weed protection plant security and
moisture retention nb the grass edge no EcoCover and weeds proliferating.

EcoCover - Day 461 Vibrant growth and plant health during mid summer
nb leaf tips with excellent health, moisture retention and weed control.

EcoCover - Day 461 Excellent growth,
weed control landscape management and plant health.

No EcoCover - Day 461 Clear evidence of weed congestion,
stressed plants, and dehydration, with the driest months to come.

No EcoCover - Day 461 Dehydration, weed
congestion stunted growth evidence of poor plant nutrition.

Field trial photomontage at:
Murphy's Bush, Manukau City, Auckland, New Zealand.

This is an EcoCover fertiliser enriched mulch mat trial planting, on a 1000 square metre linear site at the verge of an existing native tree reserve, in spring on 27 October 2005. There has been no site maintenance in the intervening year and a half.

The trial involves half the site planted with EcoCover protection, with distinctive results:

1. EcoCover mulch mat system overlaid with a thin layer of decorative bark mulch, which features exclusively in photos 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 was used for the eastern section.
2. No EcoCover protection, where a thicker layer of bark mulch was added, with results highlighted in photos 3, 11, 12, was planted in the western section.

The study highlights clearly the results, which were photographed on days 442 and 461. On day 470 soil samples were taken at both sections and tested at Hill Laboratories.

Key Points are:

1. EcoCover protection significantly enhances the quality of plant health and appearance when compared to the plants mulched only with bark. See photos 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
2. EcoCover protection suppressed weeds naturally. The comparison between the extensive weed covering of the non-EcoCover region and the EcoCover secured region is dramatic. See photos 1 and 2, 461 days later of the same section. Also photos 3, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Further compare the extensive growth of weeds, up to one metre in 19 days outside the verge of the EcoCover protected area between days 442 and 461, whilst the EcoCover protected area is still virtually weed free. See photos 4, 5 & 6.
3. EcoCover biodegradable mat system enhanced the quality of soil nutrition, which promoted plant security. Hill Laboratories results qualified this from soil samples taken on day 470. EcoCover yielded an increase of +42% mineralisable nitrogen, + 36% potassium, + 40% calcium, + 26% CEC, + 9% organic matter and + 270% phosphorous.
4. EcoCover system improved the general appearance of the landscape, which was highlighted by healthy plants, see photo 9, and note the absence of weeds.
5. EcoCover systems contributed to a 42% increase in soil moisture content, certified by Hill Laboratories. This reflects in increased plant security and healthy new growth even in dry summer conditions. Compare photo 8, 9, 10 & 11, 12.
6. EcoCover systems alleviated the need for a weed control program or added fertilisation and provided ambient conditions for flourishing new plants. The visual amenity of the planting was dramatically improved with the EcoCover mulch mat technology.

My study of this trial shows numerous certifiable benefits from the use of EcoCover. The results are very compelling for the future of sustainable land development, and the effective management of ecological systems.

John Coombs. Sustainability Consultant. March 2007.
Living Systems.
Emergent Sustainable Strategies and Solutions.