Sustainable Landscaping: Principles and Practices

Sustainable Landscaping What Is Sustainability? History and Background Sustainable Sites Initiative Environmental Issues and Landscaping Nonrenewable and Renewable Resources The Role of the Landscaping Industry in Sustainability Sustainability in the Plantscape Introduction Environmental Aspects of Plants Turfgrass Woody Plants Invasive Plants Ecology and Plants Ecological Landscaping Attracting Wildlife Programs for Habitat Development The Sun and the Sustainable Landscape Introduction Studies Related to the Effects of the Sun on the Landscape Solar Energy Urban Heat Island Other Considerations Reducing Heat Gain in Summer Increasing Heat Gain in Winter The Wind and Energy Conservation Introduction Trapping Cold Air on a Slope Planting for Insulating Properties The Cooling Effects of Wind Windbreaks to Reduce Heat Loss Wind in the Urban Landscape Water Issues Introduction The Water Cycle Water Sources Potable Water Polluted Water Preventing and Treating Contaminated Water Reducing Use of Pesticides in the Landscape Bioremediation and Phytoremediation Wetlands and Constructed Wetlands Water Conservation Introduction Precipitation Drought and Water Shortage Plant Water Requirements Rainwater Collection Systems Calculating Rainfall Amounts Irrigation and Water-Use Efficiency Drought-Tolerant Plants Water-Wise Gardening Mulch Gray-Water Use Timing of Gray-Water Usage Managing Excess Water in the Landscape Introduction Storm-Water Runoff The Urban Water Cycle Solutions to Excess Water in the Landscape Green Walls Soil Health Introduction Soils and Construction Activities Brownfields Soil Testing Addressing Problems with Soil Chemistry Soil Organic Matter Essential Plant Nutrients Improving Soil Health for Landscaping Sustainable Fertilization Sustainable Fertilization Introduction Fertilizer Plant Fertilizer Requirements Forms of Fertilizers Fertilizer Sources Improving Landscape Soils with Organic Matter Introduction Organic Matter in the Landscape Fate of Organic Matter Organic Matter and Soil Health Types of Organic Matter for Landscaped Areas Organic Soil Amendments Grass Clippings Pesticides in the Landscape Introduction Pesticide Use in the Landscape Types of Pesticides Pesticide Regulation Human Health Hazards Cholinesterase Inhibitors Other Health Effects Environmental Hazards Pesticide Handling Integrated Pest Management Introduction Avoidance Cultural Practices Genetically Improved Plants Treatment Phenology and Degree-Days Action Thresholds Economic Thresholds Aesthetic Injury Level Alternative Pest Controls Energy: Sources and Uses Introduction Energy Sources Scope of the Problem Government Support for Renewable Energy Energy for Electricity Energy-Efficient Lighting Tools and Equipment Introduction Power Tools Used in the Landscape Types of Engines Sustainability Issues Concerning Landscape Tools and Equipment Solutions Sustainable Landscape Materials and Products Introduction Landscape Construction Materials Recycled Materials for Landscape Products Life-Cycle Assessment Waste Management Appendix A: Sustainability Audit Appendix B: Important Websites Used as Resources in This Book Index