The following chapter, therefore, explores how private individuals and public bodies have begun to implement natural landscaping strategies in the municipal environment. The term bioregion may defined as a region defined by natural factors, including physiography, stream flows, weather, plant and animal communities. Kentucky bluegrass, the most common turf grass species, is actually a European import. The majority of other common turf grass species, such as Bermuda Grass, Timothy, Redtop Grass and Orchard Grass, are exotic to North America as well. An Alien or Exotic plant refers to a plant which has been recently introduced to an area where it is now established.
Introduction is often the result of human activity.
Exotics may have come from another continent or from another part of North America. Although this simplistic overview leaves out a great millennia of human interaction with, and modification of, the natural world, it is these two events that have most profoundly shaped todays urban landscape forms and management regimes. It is worth noting that much of the turf maintenance was carried out by herd animals. Although figures are unknown, if institutional, corporate and publicly maintained areas were included, the number would easily jump to well over 100,000 square kilometres 9. The land use calculation is admittedly rough, but nevertheless fairly accurate.