Sustainable Landscape Management: Design, Construction, and Maintenance

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LANDSCAPES A must-have guide for anyone working with landscapes, Sustainable Landscape Management eases the transition of the landscape industry into a new era of green consciousness. Filled with examples that illustrate best practices, the book provides a practical framework for the development of sustainable management strategies from design to execution and, eventually, to maintenance in an effort to construct landscapes that function more efficiently and minimize the impact on the environment. Sustainable Landscape Management includes: An overview of sustainable design and construction techniques as the basis for the maintenance and management of constructed landscapes Coverage of ecosystem development, managing landscape beds, managing trees and shrubs, and lawn care An entire chapter devoted to issues associated with the use of chemicals in landscape management Guidance on retrofitting existing landscapes for sustainability Reshaping the landscape takes on more significance as society embraces a new value system for advancing environmentally friendly ideals. By following the management principles laid out in this book, readers will learn the key elements for building landscapes that integrate beauty and function to create a sustainable presence that extends well into the future.

Table of Contents:
Preface ix Acknowledgments xi About the Authors xiii Chapter 1 Introduction to Sustainability 1 Introduction 1 Historical Perspective 1 Emergence of the Sustainability Movement 2 Sustainable Landscapes 9 Summary 13 Study Questions 14 Suggested Reading 14 Chapter 2 Sustainable Landscape Design 15 Introduction 15 The Process of Sustainable Landscape Design 15 Selecting Plants to Increase Sustainability 19 Creating Aesthetically Pleasing Landscapes 20 Creating Functional Landscapes 21 Creating Landscapes That Meet Basic Human Physical and Cognitive Needs 25 Designing to Minimize Maintenance 28 Designing to Enhance a Landscape’s Short- and Long-Term Cost Effectiveness 31 Integrating Specialized Design Approaches to Maximize Short- and Long-Term Sustainability 33 Summary 37 Study Questions 38 Suggested Reading 38 Chapter 3 Sustainable Landscape Construction: Process, Irrigation Systems, and Hardscape Materials 39 Introduction 39 The Conventional Landscape Construction Process 39 A Sustainable Landscape Construction Process Alternative 44 Sustainable Irrigation Design and Installation Strategies 49 Sustainable Hardscape Materials 53 Summary 59 Study Questions 60 Suggested Reading 60 Chapter 4 Retrofitting Existing Landscapes for Sustainability 61 Introduction 61 Site Analysis for Retrofitting 61 Identifying Opportunities to Improve Landscape Sustainability 72 Summary 79 Study Questions 79 Chapter 5 Ecosystem Development and Management in the Context of Sustainable Landscapes 81 Introduction 81 Sustainable Landscapes and Ecosystem Services 82 Historical Review of Ecological Design 82 How Landscapes Function as Ecosystems 84 Considerations in Designing a New Landscape Ecosystem 85 Establishment Strategies for a New Landscape Ecosystem 88 Management Strategies for a Landscape Ecosystem 90 Summary 99 Study Questions 99 Chapter 6 Environmental Issues 101 Introduction 101 Nutrient Leaching and Runoff 102 Pesticide Leaching and Runoff 105 Health Concerns Associated with Pesticides 106 Fish and Wildlife Issues Associated with Pesticides 108 Air Pollution Due to Power Equipment Emissions 109 Depletion of Water Resources 110 Sustainability and Environmental Rhetoric 110 Perspectives on Environmental Issues Regarding Pesticide Use 113 Summary 116 Study Questions 116 Chapter 7 Sustainable Soils for Landscapes 119 Introduction 119 Healthy Soils 119 Sustainable Options in Developing Soils for Landscapes 123 Managing Soils Sustainably 127 Summary 130 Study Questions 130 Chapter 8 Managing Trees, Shrubs, and Beds Sustainably 133 Introduction 133 Planting 133 Fertilization 140 Irrigation 144 Pruning 147 Managing the Waste Stream 157 Summary 157 Study Questions 158 Chapter 9 Lawns in Sustainable Landscapes 161 Introduction 161 Matching Grass Types to Climate in Theory and Practice 162 Impact of Grass Breeding Programs 163 Species for Sustainable Lawns 165 Sustainable Maintenance Strategies 176 Summary 190 Study Questions 190 Chapter 10 Sustainable Pest Management 193 Introduction 193 Definition of Integrated Pest Management 193 Components of Integrated Pest Management 194 Insect Control Strategies 197 Disease Control Strategies 202 Weed Control Strategies 203 Summary 213 Study Questions 213 Suggested Reading 214 References 215 Index 223

About the Author :
THOMAS W. COOK is Associate Professor Emeritus of Horticulture at Oregon State University. A frequent speaker at industry conferences, he gives lectures which emphasize turf and landscape with research and application responsibilities. ANN MARIE VANDERZANDEN, PHD, is a Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University. A frequent speaker at industry conferences and contributor to academic journals, she is coauthor of Mathematics for the Green Industry, published by Wiley, and Landscape Design: Theory and Application.

Review :
"The authors come out of the gates swinging with this book. In the preface, they indicate that the book was "organized to provide context for sustainability and the impact it has on landscape design, installation, and management practices", and they hit a home run with this book. They also prove they can "walk the talk" by printing the book on 100% Postconsumer paper. Kudos!!" (The Designer, Spring 2012)