Phytotechnology
Phytotechnology implements solutions to scientific and engineering problems in the form of plants. It is distinct from ecotechnology and biotechnology as these fields encompass the use and study of ecosystems and living beings, respectively. Current study of this field has mostly been directed into contaminate removal, storage and accumulation. Plant-based technologies have become alternatives to traditional cleanup procedures because of their low capital costs, high success rates, low maintenance requirements, end-use value, and aesthetic nature.
Overview
Phytotechnology is the application of plants to engineering and science problems. Phytotechnology uses ecosystem services to provide for a specifically engineered solution to a problem. Ecosystem services, broadly defined fall into four broad categories: provisioning, regulating supporting, and cultural. Many times only one of these ecosystem services is maximized in the design of the space. For instance a constructed wetland may attempt to maximize the cooling properties of the system to treat water from a wastewater treatment facility before introduction to a river. The designed benefit is a reduction of water temperature for the river system while the constructed wetland itself provides habitat and food for wildlife as well as walking trails for recreation. Most phytotechnology has been focused on the abilities of plants to remove pollutants from the environment. Other technologies such as green roofs, green walls and bioswales are generally considered phytotechnology. Taking a broad view: even parks and landscaping could be viewed as phytotechnology.However, there is very little consensus over a definition of phytotechnology even within the field. The Phytotechnology Technical and Regulatory Guidance and Decision Trees, Revised defines phytotechnology as, "Phytotechnologies are a set of technologies using plants to remediate or contain contaminants in soil, groundwater, surface water, or sediments." The United Nations Environment Programme defines phytotechnology as, "the application of science and engineering to study problems and provide solutions involving plants." A third definition from the Department of Environmental Engineering Indonesia, gives it as, "a technology which is based on the application of plants as solar driven and living technology for improving environmental sanitation and conservation problems."
Rationale for use
In phytotechnology the naturally existing properties of plants are used to accomplish defined outcomes with ecosystem services in a designed environment. The phytotechnologic system uses these properties, broadly the degradation/use of chemicals in the environment and the transport and storage of water, to change the output of the system. These mechanisms have evolved since the beginning of angiosperms 1000 mya and have become quite effective. The diversity of plants also gives versatility to the phytotechnologic system. Plants from the native environment capable to handle many applications and non-natives for more specific projects. Ancillary benefits are a factor. Community use, education use, tax credits, habitat creation, increased sustainability and aesthetics are all benefits of phytotechnology.The cost of the system is also lower compared to traditional remediation technologies in many cases. Without pumping systems, electricity costs, infrastructure and other costs. Even if the initial investment is higher in some cases the costs over the lifetime of the project will be less.