Evaluation of landscape performance and design optimization proposals for a constructed wetland in an academic institution: Case study of Liaoning Administrators College of Police and Justice

Designed ecology is a new paradigm to address ecological challenges in the modern era. It involved a designed landscape system harvesting the interactions between humans and the nature. We evaluated the performance of a constructed wetland, a designed ecological landscape, in the Liaoning Administrators College of Police and Justice. The impacts of this landscape on environment, society, and economy were as follows:(1) The constructed wetland purified the reclaimed water. The reduction ratio of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand, and suspended solids was 74.9%, 6.66%, 61%, 41.18%, and 64.71%, respectively; however, the water grade wasn′t improved.(2) A strong relationship between total phosphorus and total nitrogen concentrations was observed in wetland soil and wetland water, implying that the reclaimed water improved soil fertility.(3) The habitat types comprised broadleaved deciduous forest, bush, grass, and shallow swamp; variations in their structure, dominant species, and undergrowth plants were observed. Although the plant community revealed local characteristics, high biodiversity existed, which included 22 families, 37 genera, and 37 species.(4) The wetland landscape provided high-quality recreation as well as social and scenic benefits to people, as reflected in the survey results, with over 80% indicating 'satisfied'. At the same time, the wetland could save 67, 000 Yuan every year with low management cost. Therefore, we recommend that ecological service proposals should incorporate the local characteristics in all future design considerations.