Boost Your Curb Appeal with These Las Vegas Landscaping Tips
Colorful Landscaping Las Vegas
Creating a Low-Maintenance Landscape for Las Vegas Climate
Boosting your curb appeal, eh! Best vegas landscapers Nevada. Thats a real challenge, isnt it? Especially in Las Vegas, with its unique climate. Well, Ive got good news for you! Its totally possible, and were here to tell you how. Creating a low-maintenance landscape for Las Vegas climate isnt as tough as you might think.
First things first: you gotta understand the climate of Las Vegas (its not all gambling and bright lights, you know!). Its a desert, meaning its dry, and the temperature can get pretty high. So, any landscaping youre doing needs to be able to withstand those conditions.
Now, youre probably thinking, "That sounds like a lot of work!" But heres the kicker: it doesnt have to be. With the right planning and the right plants, you can create a landscape thats not only beautiful, but also low-maintenance.
Start by choosing plants that are native to the desert. These plants are used to the harsh conditions, so they wont need as much care (or water) as other plants might. Think about using cacti, agave, or even desert marigold. Theyre not just hardy; theyre also pretty striking to look at.
Then, consider using rocks or gravel instead of grass. Its a simple swap, but it can make a big difference. Grass needs a lot of water to stay green, but rocks? They dont need any water at all! Plus, they can add a bit of texture and contrast to your landscape.
But heres the thing you shouldnt do: dont just stick to one type of plant or rock. Mix it up a bit! Use different colors, sizes, and shapes to create a landscape thats interesting and dynamic.
And finally, dont forget about mulch. It can help keep the soil cool and moist, which is great for those hot Las Vegas summers.
So there you have it! Creating a low-maintenance landscape for Las Vegas climate doesnt have to be a chore. With a bit of planning and some smart choices, you can create a landscape thats as beautiful as it is easy to care for. So why not give it a shot?
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Its easier than you think!
Picking Native Plants to Improve Your Curb Appeal
Las Vegas, baby! The city of lights, the city of opportunities, its where your dreams find wings! But, theres more to it than meets the eye. Yes, were talkin about landscaping, specifically about boosting your curb appeal with native plants.
You might be thinking, "Landscaping in Vegas? Seriously?" But hear me out, folks!
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Las Vegas, despite being in the desert, has its own vibrant native flora that can turn your yard into an oasis. And trust me, it aint just about the looks either.
Native plants are, by definition, species that have evolved in a certain region over thousands of years. Theyre used to the climate, the soil, the rainfall (or lack thereof in Vegas) and the local pests. That means they require less maintenance, less water, and fewer pesticides. Wow, youd be saving money and the environment at the same time! Its like hitting a jackpot (pun intended)!
Choosing native plants for your yard not only enhances your curb appeal but also promotes biodiversity. And don't get me started on how they can attract beautiful wildlife like birds and butterflies to your yard. A sight to behold, huh?
But hold on! Dont just start throwing seeds around. Plan your landscaping. Do some research or consult with a local horticulturist to understand what would work best for your area.
Some popular choices among Las Vegas homeowners include the Desert Marigold, a small shrub with bright yellow flowers; the Red Yucca, which isnt really a yucca but has beautiful red flowers; and the Baja Fairy Duster, which I swear isnt made up! Its a real plant with red flowers that look like a fairys duster. And there are many others to choose from!
So, if youre looking to boost your curb appeal without breaking the bank or running up your water bill, consider picking native plants for your Vegas home. Not only will you be making a statement, but youll also be contributing to the local ecosystem. Now thats what I call a win-win situation!
Remember, Las Vegas isnt just about the Strip. Its also about the stunning native landscapes that can be showcased right in your front yard. So, what are you waiting for? Go native!
Lighting Up Your Outdoor Space: Essential Tips and Tricks
Lighting up your outdoor space can significantly enhance your curb appeal, especially in a city as vibrant as Las Vegas! But, how can you do it effectively, you ask? Here are some essential tips and tricks that you can use to transform your yard into a showstopper.
First and foremost, its crucial to have a plan. Dont just start installing lights willy-nilly. You need to think about what parts of your yard you want to highlight. Maybe its a beautiful tree, a unique statue or a lovely flower bed; these are all great areas to focus on.
Secondly, less is often more in outdoor lighting. Dont go overboard and light up everything; youre not trying to create a football stadium. Instead, use your lights to guide the eye and create points of interest.
The third tip is to use a mixture of lighting types. This is vital. You want to use spotlights, path lights and wall lights to create depth and texture. Dont forget about using different brightness levels too (a common mistake). It can help create a sense of depth and make your yard feel more spacious.
Another important thing to remember is to choose energy-efficient lights. Not only will they save you money in the long run, but theyre also better for the environment. So, its a win-win situation.
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Now, heres a trick that most people dont know about. You can use colored lights to create a particular mood or highlight certain plants. For instance, using blue light can create a cool, calming atmosphere, whereas red can make things feel warm and cozy.
And lastly, you must maintain your outdoor lights. You cant just install them and forget about it. Check them regularly, replace any burned-out bulbs and make sure theyre clean.
Remember, lighting up your outdoor space isnt about making it as bright as possible. Its about creating an atmosphere, highlighting your homes best features, and ultimately, boosting your curb appeal. So go on, give these tips a try and watch as your yard transforms into the talk of the town!
Enhancing Curb Appeal with Outdoor Art and Decorative Elements
Aha! So, youre looking for ways to amp up your curb appeal with some Las Vegas-inspired landscaping tips? Lets get to it, then.
One of the most important tips, in my humble opinion, is to make good use of outdoor art and decorative elements. Now, Im not saying you need to go all out and create a mini sculpture park in your front yard (though that could be pretty cool)! But a few well-placed pieces can really make your property stand out.
Outdoor art could be anything from a beautiful bird bath, a unique garden statue or even a funky mailbox. The point is to add something that reflects your own personal style and adds visual interest to your front yard. But remember, in Las Vegas, youve got to consider the heat. Dont go for something thats gonna melt or fade in the sun!
Decorative elements could also include things like distinctive planters, ornamental grasses, or colorful flower beds. But heres the thing - you dont want to overdo it. Too much of a good thing can be, well, not so good. Its all about balance, folks!
Another great tip is to add lighting. Not only does it add to the safety and security of your property, but it also enhances the beauty of your outdoor art and decorative elements. Imagine how lovely that bird bath or garden statue would look under the soft glow of a garden light!
And dont forget about your front door! A fresh coat of paint in a bold color, a stylish door knocker or a beautiful wreath can do wonders for your curb appeal.
In conclusion, boosting your curb appeal doesnt have to be hard or expensive. With a little creativity and some well-chosen outdoor art and decorative elements, you can create a front yard thats not only beautiful, but uniquely yours.
Oh, and one last thing - dont be afraid to change things up from time to time. Just because youve put something in place doesnt mean it has to stay there forever. Have fun with it! Thats what its all about, isnt it?
Henderson is notable for its extensive system of outdoor recreation facilities, including over 220 miles (350 km) of trails and 72 parks.[4]
Incorporated in 1953, Henderson was originally known for its role in magnesium production during World War II.[5] Since then, it has grown rapidly through the development of master planned communities starting with the large Green Valley neighborhood,[6][7] redevelopment and reinvestment after the PEPCON disaster,[8] and the city government's historically proactive planning and management.[9]
In the fall of 1917, manganese ore along with other metals were found at the site of the Three Kids Mine, a now-defunct mine adjacent to the Lake Las Vegas area 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Boulder City and 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Las Vegas.[10] Mining would continue intermittently until the mine was officially closed in 1961.[11]
Instead, there were clusters of Hoovervilles scattered throughout the area with a variety of names. Pittman, the most prominent settlement of what would become Henderson, still exists today —though not incorporated nor a city—was the most prominent of the settlements and is currently known, many of which remain neighborhood names today.[12]
Near a large magnesium mine, the area was chosen to build a two-mile long industrial complex to house the company chosen to run the operation, Basic Magnesium Incorporated (BMI), which would go on to have a massive impact on the development of Henderson.[15]
The War Department identified the area as being ideal for military industrial manufacturing. The area was at least 250 miles from the coast in between the McCullough Hills and River Mountains, protecting the area from low-altitude aircraft attacks. The area is also roughly halfway between the railroad line connecting Las Vegas to Los Angeles and Salt Lake and the Hoover Dam's water and electricity.[13][16]
In September 1941, around 2,700 workers began construction of the BMI complex in order to complete it in just 11 months. When the plant opened in February 1942, around 15,000 people would come from around the country to come work at the plant.[12] At its peak, it would produce 25% of the nation's magnesium. In between the preexisting communities of Pittman and Midway, what is now downtown Henderson was referred to as the Basic Townsite.[17]
The first permanent houses in Henderson being built to house Basic Magnesium workers.
During this time, the first high school in Henderson and second in Clark County, Basic High School, was established in 1942. The school has moved twice, once in the 1950s and again in 1972 to its current location. The school has a large, white letter "B" made of painted boulders on the side of the River Mountain range.[18]
By the end of World War II, Henderson suffered a sharp decline when the BMI plant ceassed production, with most of its 14,000 employees leaving with their families. With the sharp population decline, Henderson's future was uncertain and the state government was looking to public and private sectors to repurpose infrastructure.[19] In 1946, the Nevada Legislature authorized the Colorado River Commission of Nevada to purchase the industrial plants, preventing the town's dissolution.[20]
This intervention paved the way for the city of Henderson to exist. Henderson was officially incorporated as a city on April 16, 1953, with a population of 7,500 and Dr. Jim French serving as its first mayor.[21]
Despite its proximity to Las Vegas, Henderson maintained a distinct identity throughout the 1960s and 1970s, with slower rates of development and a priority placed on developing single-family homes, retail, and manufacturing industries.
In 1971, a land sale involving local businessman and Las Vegas Sun publisher, Hank Greenspun, caused controversy but resulted in the development of the first neighborhoods outside the original downtown, Green Valley. Greenspun acquired 4,720 acres of government-released land at approximately $280 per acre, a price which drew controversy, with many noting its location directly in between Las Vegas and downtown Henderson.[19]
Although Henderson retained its industrial core, the city shifted away from that into a larger suburban city. It became home to Southern Nevada's first master-planned community, Green Valley. The middle-to-upper class suburban development spurred growth with other master planned communities following suit.[22] This period of growth set the stage for Henderson's emergence as Nevada's second-largest city in subsequent decades.[12]
On May 4, 1988, the Pacific Engineering and Production Company of Nevada (PEPCON) chemical plant experienced a catastrophic fire and series of explosions. The facility was one of only two in the United States producing ammonium perchlorate, a key component in solid rocket fuel.[23]
The disaster resulted in two fatalities, injured over 300 individuals, and caused extensive damage throughout the Las Vegas Valley.[24] The explosions were so powerful that they registered seismic activity equivalent to a 3.5 magnitude earthquake and were felt up to 10 miles away.[23]
The incident led to significant changes in industrial safety regulations and emergency response protocols in the region.[25] In the aftermath, PEPCON ceased operations in Henderson, and the site was eventually redeveloped for commercial use.[23]
The city is in the Mojave Desert with wildlife and vegetation typical of the Mojave. The mountains that surround Henderson mostly have gentle slopes. The McCullough Range is closest to the city; most of this range is covered by black rocks from a volcanic explosion millions of years ago. These mountains reach an average height of about 3,800 feet (1,200 m). The landscape consists of the desert; the only water in the city is found in washes like Duck Creek.
Residential neighborhoods in Henderson include Anthem, Anthem Country Club, Ascaya, Black Mountain Vistas, Cadence, Calico Ridge, Champion Village, The Fountains, Grand Legacy, Green Valley, Green Valley Estates, Green Valley Ranch, Hillsboro Heights, Inspirada, Lake Las Vegas, MacDonald Highlands, MacDonald Ranch, Madeira Canyon, Club at Madeira Canyon, Roma Hills, Seven Hills, Sun City Anthem, Sun City MacDonald Ranch, Tuscany Village, and Whitney Ranch.
Henderson is classified as having a hot desert climate (BWh) in the Köppen climate classification. It has mild winters and hot summers. Snow can occasionally fall in the winter. The monsoon can bring storms in the summer, which can cause flash flooding and thunderstorms. The hottest month is July and the coldest month is December. On average there are 292 clear days per year.[28][failed verification]
There were 124,626 households, with an average household size of 2.54 individuals. Owner-occupied housing units accounted for 65.2% of all households, with a median value of $427,900. The median gross rent was $1,641.
The age distribution in 2020 was as follows: 4.9% under 5 years old, 21.4% under 18, and 20.0% aged 65 or older. The median age was 42.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.81 males.
Residents with at least a high school diploma accounted for 93.6% of the population, while residents with bachelor's degrees or higher accounted for 35.3%.
Henderson, Nevada – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
According to the 2000 census, there were 175,381 people, 66,331 households, and 47,095 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,200.8 inhabitants per square mile (849.7/km2). There were 71,149 housing units at an average density of 892.8 per square mile (344.7/km2). The city's racial makeup was 80.49% White, 3.76% African American, 0.70% Native American, 3.98% Asian, 0.42% Pacific Islander, 3.16% from other races, and 3.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.71% of the population.
There were 66,331 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age for the city was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.
The city's median household income was $63,830, and the median family income was $74,120. The per capita income for the city was $33,238. About 3.9% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.[35]
In 2023, the city released a report to identify areas for public policy improvement to support the city economy's primary industries, including: logistics, electric equipment and components manufacturing, financial and credit services, media and sports production, and back-office management and support services.[37] Overall, the city attracts more advanced industries than its Southern Nevada counterparts such as Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Boulder City since Henderson has more bachelor's and master's degree-holding residents per capita.[38]
TIMET, one of the largest manufacturers of titanium in the world, operates a facility in Henderson that produces titanium sponge and titanium tetrachloride,[39] employing approximately 600 people.[36]
Levi Strauss operates a 620,000-square-foot (58,000 m2)[40] manufacturing and distribution facility in Henderson, where it utilizes advanced laser technology to create custom-designed denim products. This facility allows for the production of personalized designs at a rapid pace.[41]
Haas Automation, a leading manufacturer of computerized numerical control machines, began constructing a major production facility in Henderson in 2024.[42][43] The new facility will cover 2,400,000 square feet (220,000 m2) and is expected to employ up to 1,400 people over five years.[42]
ProCaps Laboratories, a vitamin manufacturing company, operates a 90,000-square-foot (8,400 m2) facility in Henderson. The facility includes a unique 1,400-square-foot (130 m2) glass-enclosed broadcast studio that enables live broadcasting while production continues uninterrupted. This arrangement is a first-of-its-kind setup in the U.S. for a vitamin production facility.[44]
Google's $600 million data center in Henderson operates on a 64-acre (260,000 m2) campus.[45] This facility supports Google's network infrastructure Google Cloud, AI, Maps, Search in North America.[46] In addition to the initial investment, Google announced plans to invest an additional $400 million in 2024 to upgrade its Nevada data centers, including the one in Henderson.[47]
Amazon operates multiple facilities in Henderson. Among them is a 600,000-square-foot (56,000 m2) cross-dock facility that enables efficient redistribution of large inventory shipments. The facility employs over 1,000 workers and is one of three Amazon fulfillment centers in Nevada.[48]
The Las Vegas Raiders maintain their corporate headquarters and a healthcare performance center in Henderson. The facility features a 336,000-square-foot (31,200 m2) complex with training fields and administrative offices.[49]
Kroger operates a major distribution center in Henderson, which supports grocery operations throughout the region. The 428,000-square-foot (39,800 m2) facility employs around 270 people and serves as a vital logistics hub for the company's network of stores.[50]
Although ranges are given in order to protect employee privacy, according to the report, the City of Henderson Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, fiscal year ending June 30, 2024,[36] identifies the city's largest employers as:
An increasing number of major shopping malls, movie theater complexes, concert venues, restaurants and casino resorts offer residents a variety of choices for leisure time in Henderson. The city also sits a few miles southeast of Las Vegas and is not too far from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. "Shakespeare in the Park" celebrated its tenth anniversary in 1996, a testament to Henderson's long-standing support for the arts and cultural programs. The city also boasts the largest recreational facility – the Henderson Multigenerational Facility – in Nevada as well as Nevada's only scenic Bird Preserve. The city supports a variety of other cultural events, many of which are held at the outdoor amphitheater, the largest one of its kind in Nevada.
The Las Vegas Raiders, formerly the Oakland Raiders, announced their relocation to Las Vegas in 2017. In 2018, they announced the purchase of 55 acres in the southwest part of Henderson where the team's executive offices and practice facility were built.[57] The $75 million complex was named the Intermountain Health Performance Center and opened in June 2020.[58]
The Las Vegas Aces' 64,000-square-foot (5,900 m2) complex houses the team's practice facility, offices, training and weight rooms, hydrotherapy space, physical therapy area, locker rooms, a lecture hall, player and alumni lounges, and an on-site day care center.[59] In 2023, the Aces became the first WNBA team to have a facility built exclusively for itself when their new complex opened.[60]
The city received its charter from the Nevada State Legislature in 1953, formally incorporating the city with a council/manager form of government.
Henderson is divided into four wards. A mayor and four council members are elected citywide, but no more than one council member are allowed to reside in each ward.
Lorna Kesterson was elected as Henderson's first female mayor, serving two terms until 1993.[66][67]
In 2013, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it had reached a cooperative settlement agreement with the city of Henderson under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The DOJ received complaints by individuals who are deaf that officers for the city of Henderson did not provide them with qualified sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids and services when needed for effective communication. One of the complainants was arrested and detained for two days in the Henderson detention facility, while the other was an alleged crime victim.[68]
During its investigation into the allegations, the department inquired whether the city of Henderson would be interested in resolving the matter voluntarily. The city expressed its full commitment to ensure compliance with the ADA. Under the settlement, the city of Henderson will pay $35,000 to the complainants. The city agreed to provide sign language interpreters, usually within an hour of a person's request to law enforcement officers. Henderson also agreed to modify its handcuffing policies for people who use sign language or hand writing to communicate, and to adopt other policies consistent with the ADA.[68]
Findlay Prep was a high school basketball program sponsored by the Henderson International School. Henderson International School – a private preparatory school owned by Meritas – hosted Findlay College Prep. Since its creation in 2006 by businessman Cliff Findlay, its dozen students comprised the school's only high school students.[69]
The city of Henderson has a low percentage of households without a car. In 2015, 2.8 percent of Henderson households lacked a car, and increased to 5 percent in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Henderson averaged 1.74 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.[75]
Street numbering is different within the city of Henderson than with the rest of the Las Vegas Valley. The center of Henderson lies within the intersection of Water Street and Lake Mead Parkway. The Henderson Police Department for years referred to Lake Mead Parkway (and its former name Lake Mead Drive) as "146", while Boulder Highway is often referred as "93", its former highway designation.
The Union Pacific Railroad serves Henderson over a branch line originally built to support construction of Hoover Dam. The final few miles of the line, owned by the U.S. Government, were abandoned after the dam was completed. The line still extends to Boulder City; in 1985, the state purchased the section east of appropriately I-11, with the Nevada Southern Railroad Museum operating excursion trains over the easternmost seven miles (11 km).
^"Fact Sheet". City of Henderson. Archived from the original on October 3, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
^Lyle, Michael (May 15, 2008). "Battle-born Henderson now 'A Place to Call Home'". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2024. On April 16, 1953, Henderson was officially a city, electing its first mayor, Dr. Jim French, on May 23. The city was only 13 square miles and had a population of 7,410 people. The city slogan soon became 'A Place to Call Home.'
^Moehring, Eugene P.; Green, Michael S. (2005). Las Vegas: a Centennial History. Wilbur S. Shepperson series in Nevada history. Reno: University of Nevada Press. pp. Chapter 10: Suburbanization and Diversity, 1970–2005. ISBN978-0-87417-611-7. Creating the momentum for Henderson's metamorphosis has been the development of Green Valley. Its origins lie in the land acquisitions of Las Vegas Sun editor Hank Greenspun in the southeastern portion of the valley, west of Henderson. Between 1956 and 1971, he bought eight thousand acres of land with the intention of bringing in large developers to build residential communities that the City of Henderson would eventually annex...Green Valley grew simultaneously with Spring Valley and sooner than Summerlin. Of course, it needed help. Fine convinced county commissioners to rename Lamb Boulevard Green Valley Parkway, which he connected to Patrick Lane.
^"History of Henderson". Las Vegas Sun. April 16, 2003. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024. 1972 — "On Jan. 17, the city sells 4,700 acres of what then was known as "Section 25" to Las Vegas Sun Publisher Hank Greenspun, who then is approved by the City Council to develop on the huge parcel the master-planned community that would become Green Valley. Basic High moves from Van Wagenen to its present location on Palo Verde Drive."
^"History of Henderson". Las Vegas Sun. April 16, 2003. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024. 1988 — "Henderson voters approve the first park improvement bond of $4 million...More than half of Henderson's buildings suffer some damage and thousands of insurance claims are filed. The plant paid more than $74 million in settlements and later moved to Utah. Construction begins on a 2,300-acre residential resort subdivision, Lake Las Vegas."
^"History of Henderson". Las Vegas Sun. April 16, 2003. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024. "2003 — "Henderson Multigenerational Center, a huge recreational facility, opens on Feb. 7. Henderson annexes 5,458 acres of Bureau of Land Management land, preserving southwest entryway into city. (Today the city includes 96 million acres and has a population greater than 220,0000.)"
^[[#CITEREF|]]In historical documents, BMI is often used generically to refer to the plant and the company. Also, the area still exists today as the Black Mountain Industrial Complex, running along the length of Lake Mead Parkway and between the I-215Boulder Highway sfn error: no target: CITEREF (help)
^Jones, Florence Lee; Cahlan, John F. (1975). Water: A History of Las Vegas. Vol. 1. The Early History and Water Resources of the Las Vegas Valley in Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas: Las Vegas Valley Water District. p. 137.
Henderson is a city in Clark County, Nevada, United States, about 16 miles (26 km) southeast of midtown Las Las vega. It is the second most populated city in Nevada, after Las Vegas, with 317,610 residents. The city becomes part of the Las Las Vega Valley. Henderson is noteworthy for its extensive system of outside recreation centers, including over 220 miles (350 km) of trails and 72 parks. Integrated in 1953, Henderson was initially understood for its role in magnesium manufacturing throughout World War II. Since then, it has proliferated through the advancement of plan of attack neighborhoods beginning with the huge Eco-friendly Valley area, redevelopment and reinvestment after the PEPCON disaster, and the city government's historically positive preparation and administration.
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About Landscape engineering
A river with functional (flood preventing) engineering (in Houston, Texas)
Landscape engineering builds on the engineering strengths of declaring goals, determining initial conditions, iteratively designing, predicting performance based on knowledge of the design, monitoring performance, and adjusting designs to meet the declared goals. It builds on the strengths and history of reclamation practice. Its distinguishing feature is the marriage of landforms, substrates, and vegetation throughout all phases of design and construction, which previously have been kept as separate disciplines.
Though landscape engineering embodies all elements of traditional engineering (planning, investigation, design, construction, operation, assessment, research, management, and training), it is focused on three main areas. The first is closure planning – which includes goal setting and design of the landscape as a whole. The second division is landscape design more focused on the design of individual landforms to reliably meet the goals as set out in the closure planning process. Landscape performance assessment is critical to both of these, and is also important for estimating liability and levels of financial assurance. The iterative process of planning, design, and performance assessment by a multidisciplinary team is the basis of landscape engineering.
Source: McKenna, G.T., 2002. Sustainable mine reclamation and landscape engineering. PhD Thesis, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada 661p.
An example of contemporary landscape engineering and natural resources management related to the Biosphere 2 and seawater farming projects, is the IBTS Greenhouse, formerly the Forest City designed for the Emirate of Ras al Khaimah. The IBTS rests on a thoroughly integrated design with more than 340 different engineering, science and technology disciplines. It was created for desert greening of hot, arid deserts and optimized for fresh water production from saline, or brackish water. The Integrated Biotectural System is based on a wetland, more specifically a mangrove eco-system designed for food and fodder production of 80tons per hectare and year, also called mariculture. The atmosphere inside the IBTS is turned into a potent water source and harvested with a combination of condensation utilities which makes it a more energy efficient desalination facility than industrial plants. It can produce 500.000m3 of distilled water per day while reclaiming 1000ha of hot arid desert lands. The electricity for the desalination is produced by an on-site forest of micro wind turbines located on the same footprint. These numbers are important because the performance data of for-profit engineered landscapes like wetlands for wastewater treatment or agro-ecological farming sites distinguishes technically feasible from financially and ecologically beneficial projects.
The IBTS is an example for sustainable landscape design that reclaims and recreates productive ecosystems including seawater farming, aquaculture, farming, forestry and residence for a human population. It has become feasible because of the design of a Bedouin Greenhouse-shape, automatic construction and maintenance of the vast membrane Sky-roof. The up-front and operational cost could thus be reduced so far that entire landscapes can be covered permanently, not in a common greenhouse fashion, but with an architectural structure that allows for a real-size forest and urban development below the Sky-roof.
The inherent concepts of the IBTS can be used to engineer, terra-form and activate deserts and other landscapes with harsh conditions. In 2015 the governor of Alaska received an offer for a fully self-sufficient multi-residence housing project based on the concepts developed for the IBTS project and adopted for arctic climate by the developer TS Prototype-Creation.
It was there where Carpenter began the first organized and systematic college program for irrigation engineering starting in 1888. Those completing such instruction were awarded a bachelor of science degree in irrigation engineering.[4][5][6]
Carpenter was one of the foremost leading experts on irrigation systems. During his life he investigated irrigation systems not only in North America but also in Canada and Europe. This led to his engineering consulting and water law. He became Colorado's state engineer which he held for several years while still teaching.[6] Carpenter was involved in not only in irrigation engineering but consulting on hydraulic construction projects and the problems associated with such projects.[6][7]
^"Carpenter, Louis George, educator". The twentieth century biographical dictionary of notable Americans ... Volume 2 of The twentieth century biographical dictionary of notable Americans by Rossiter Johnson, John Howard Brown - published by the Biographical Society. 1904. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
^De Puy, William Harrison (1908). "Carpenter, Louis George, engineer". The world-wide encyclopedia and gazetteer: Compiled and revised to Date from the leading encyclopedias of the world. A dictionary of Arts, sciences and literature, to which is added biographies of living subjects, One hundred colored Maps and numerous illustrations, William Harrison De Puy - Volume 9 - Page 720 - published by The Christian Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
^"Carpenter, Louis George, engineer". New American supplement to the New Werner Twentieth Century Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica ... Illustrated with Hundreds of Portraits and Other Engravings, Volume 2 New American Supplement to the New Werner Twentieth Century Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica ... Illustrated with Hundreds of Portraits and Other Engravings - published by the Werner Company. 1905. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
Science of relationships between ecological processes in the environment and particular ecosystems
Land cover surrounding Madison, Wisconsin. Fields are colored yellow and brown and urban surfaces are colored red.Impervious surfaces surrounding Madison, WisconsinCanopy cover surrounding Madison, Wisconsin
Landscape ecology is the science of studying and improving relationships between ecological processes in the environment and particular ecosystems. This is done within a variety of landscape scales, development spatial patterns, and organizational levels of research and policy.[1][2][3] Landscape ecology can be described as the science of "landscape diversity" as the synergetic result of biodiversity and geodiversity.[4]
As a highly interdisciplinary field in systems science, landscape ecology integrates biophysical and analytical approaches with humanistic and holistic perspectives across the natural sciences and social sciences. Landscapes are spatially heterogeneous geographic areas characterized by diverse interacting patches or ecosystems, ranging from relatively natural terrestrial and aquatic systems such as forests, grasslands, and lakes to human-dominated environments including agricultural and urban settings.[2][5][6]
The most salient characteristics of landscape ecology are its emphasis on the relationship among pattern, process and scales, and its focus on broad-scale ecological and environmental issues. These necessitate the coupling between biophysical and socioeconomic sciences. Key research topics in landscape ecology include ecological flows in landscape mosaics, land use and land cover change, scaling, relating landscape pattern analysis with ecological processes, and landscape conservation and sustainability.[7] Landscape ecology also studies the role of human impacts on landscape diversity in the development and spreading of new human pathogens that could trigger epidemics.[8][9]
The German term Landschaftsökologie – thus landscape ecology – was coined by German geographerCarl Troll in 1939.[10] He developed this terminology and many early concepts of landscape ecology as part of his early work, which consisted of applying aerial photograph interpretation to studies of interactions between environment and vegetation.
Heterogeneity is the measure of how parts of a landscape differ from one another. Landscape ecology looks at how this spatial structure affects organism abundance at the landscape level, as well as the behavior and functioning of the landscape as a whole. This includes studying the influence of pattern, or the internal order of a landscape, on process, or the continuous operation of functions of organisms.[11] Landscape ecology also includes geomorphology as applied to the design and architecture of landscapes.[12]Geomorphology is the study of how geological formations are responsible for the structure of a landscape.
One central landscape ecology theory originated from MacArthur & Wilson'sThe Theory of Island Biogeography. This work considered the biodiversity on islands as the result of competing forces of colonization from a mainland stock and stochasticextinction. The concepts of island biogeography were generalized from physical islands to abstract patches of habitat by Levins' metapopulation model (which can be applied e.g. to forest islands in the agricultural landscape[13]). This generalization spurred the growth of landscape ecology by providing conservation biologists a new tool to assess how habitat fragmentation affects population viability. Recent growth of landscape ecology owes much to the development of geographic information systems (GIS)[14] and the availability of large-extent habitat data (e.g. remotely sensed datasets).
Landscape ecology developed in Europe from historical planning on human-dominated landscapes. Concepts from general ecology theory were integrated in North America.[when?] While general ecology theory and its sub-disciplines focused on the study of more homogenous, discrete community units organized in a hierarchical structure (typically as ecosystems, populations, species, and communities), landscape ecology built upon heterogeneity in space and time. It frequently included human-caused landscape changes in theory and application of concepts.[15]
By 1980, landscape ecology was a discrete, established discipline. It was marked by the organization of the International Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE) in 1982. Landmark book publications defined the scope and goals of the discipline, including Naveh and Lieberman[16] and Forman and Godron.[17][18] Forman[6] wrote that although study of "the ecology of spatial configuration at the human scale" was barely a decade old, there was strong potential for theory development and application of the conceptual framework.
Today, theory and application of landscape ecology continues to develop through a need for innovative applications in a changing landscape and environment. Landscape ecology relies on advanced technologies such as remote sensing, GIS, and models. There has been associated development of powerful quantitative methods to examine the interactions of patterns and processes.[5] An example would be determining the amount of carbon present in the soil based on landform over a landscape, derived from GIS maps, vegetation types, and rainfall data for a region. Remote sensing work has been used to extend landscape ecology to the field of predictive vegetation mapping, for instance by Janet Franklin.
Nowadays, at least six different conceptions of landscape ecology can be identified: one group tending toward the more disciplinary concept of ecology (subdiscipline of biology; in conceptions 2, 3, and 4) and another group—characterized by the interdisciplinary study of relations between human societies and their environment—inclined toward the integrated view of geography (in conceptions 1, 5, and 6):[19]
Interdisciplinary analysis of subjectively defined landscape units (e.g. Neef School[20][21]): Landscapes are defined in terms of uniformity in land use. Landscape ecology explores the landscape's natural potential in terms of functional utility for human societies. To analyse this potential, it is necessary to draw on several natural sciences.
Topological ecology at the landscape scale[22][23] 'Landscape' is defined as a heterogeneous land area composed of a cluster of interacting ecosystems (woods, meadows, marshes, villages, etc.) that is repeated in similar form throughout. It is explicitly stated that landscapes are areas at a kilometres wide human scale of perception, modification, etc. Landscape ecology describes and explains the landscapes' characteristic patterns of ecosystems and investigates the flux of energy, mineral nutrients, and species among their component ecosystems, providing important knowledge for addressing land-use issues.
Organism-centered, multi-scale topological ecology (e.g. John A. Wiens[24][25]): Explicitly rejecting views expounded by Troll, Zonneveld, Naveh, Forman & Godron, etc., landscape and landscape ecology are defined independently of human perceptions, interests, and modifications of nature. 'Landscape' is defined – regardless of scale – as the 'template' on which spatial patterns influence ecological processes. Not humans, but rather the respective species being studied is the point of reference for what constitutes a landscape.
Topological ecology at the landscape level of biological organisation (e.g. Urban et al.[26]): On the basis of ecological hierarchy theory, it is presupposed that nature is working at multiple scales and has different levels of organisation which are part of a rate-structured, nested hierarchy. Specifically, it is claimed that, above the ecosystem level, a landscape level exists which is generated and identifiable by high interaction intensity between ecosystems, a specific interaction frequency and, typically, a corresponding spatial scale. Landscape ecology is defined as ecology that focuses on the influence exerted by spatial and temporal patterns on the organisation of, and interaction among, functionally integrated multispecies ecosystems.
Analysis of social-ecological systems using the natural and social sciences and humanities (e.g. Leser;[27] Naveh;[28][29] Zonneveld[30]): Landscape ecology is defined as an interdisciplinary super-science that explores the relationship between human societies and their specific environment, making use of not only various natural sciences, but also social sciences and humanities. This conception is grounded in the assumption that social systems are linked to their specific ambient ecological system in such a way that both systems together form a co-evolutionary, self-organising unity called 'landscape'. Societies' cultural, social and economic dimensions are regarded as an integral part of the global ecological hierarchy, and landscapes are claimed to be the manifest systems of the 'total human ecosystem' (Naveh) which encompasses both the physical ('geospheric') and mental ('noospheric') spheres.
Ecology guided by cultural meanings of lifeworldly landscapes (frequently pursued in practice[31] but not defined, but see, e.g., Hard;[32] Trepl[19]): Landscape ecology is defined as ecology that is guided by an external aim, namely, to maintain and develop lifeworldlylandscapes. It provides the ecological knowledge necessary to achieve these goals. It investigates how to sustain and develop those populations and ecosystems which (i) are the material 'vehicles' of lifeworldly, aesthetic and symbolic landscapes and, at the same time, (ii) meet societies' functional requirements, including provisioning, regulating, and supporting ecosystem services. Thus landscape ecology is concerned mainly with the populations and ecosystems which have resulted from traditional, regionally specific forms of land use.
Some research programmes of landscape ecology theory, namely those standing in the European tradition, may be slightly outside of the "classical and preferred domain of scientific disciplines" because of the large, heterogeneous areas of study. However, general ecology theory is central to landscape ecology theory in many aspects. Landscape ecology consists of four main principles: the development and dynamics of spatial heterogeneity, interactions and exchanges across heterogeneous landscapes, influences of spatial heterogeneity on biotic and abiotic processes, and the management of spatial heterogeneity. The main difference from traditional ecological studies, which frequently assume that systems are spatially homogenous, is the consideration of spatial patterns.[33]
Landscape ecology not only created new terms, but also incorporated existing ecological terms in new ways. Many of the terms used in landscape ecology are as interconnected and interrelated as the discipline itself.
Certainly, 'landscape' is a central concept in landscape ecology. It is, however, defined in quite different ways. For example:[19]Carl Troll conceives of landscape not as a mental construct but as an objectively given 'organic entity', a harmonic individuum of space.[34]Ernst Neef[20][21] defines landscapes as sections within the uninterrupted earth-wide interconnection of geofactors which are defined as such on the basis of their uniformity in terms of a specific land use, and are thus defined in an anthropocentric and relativistic way. According to Richard Forman and Michel Godron,[22] a landscape is a heterogeneous land area composed of a cluster of interacting ecosystems that is repeated in similar form throughout, whereby they list woods, meadows, marshes and villages as examples of a landscape's ecosystems, and state that a landscape is an area at least a few kilometres wide. John A. Wiens[24][25] opposes the traditional view expounded by Carl Troll, Isaak S. Zonneveld, Zev Naveh, Richard T. T. Forman/Michel Godron and others that landscapes are arenas in which humans interact with their environments on a kilometre-wide scale; instead, he defines 'landscape'—regardless of scale—as "the template on which spatial patterns influence ecological processes".[25][35] Some define 'landscape' as an area containing two or more ecosystems in close proximity.[15]
Scale and heterogeneity (incorporating composition, structure, and function)
A main concept in landscape ecology is scale. Scale represents the real world as translated onto a map, relating distance on a map image and the corresponding distance on earth.[36] Scale is also the spatial or temporal measure of an object or a process,[33] or amount of spatial resolution.[6] Components of scale include composition, structure, and function, which are all important ecological concepts. Applied to landscape ecology, composition refers to the number of patch types (see below) represented on a landscape and their relative abundance. For example, the amount of forest or wetland, the length of forest edge, or the density of roads can be aspects of landscape composition. Structure is determined by the composition, the configuration, and the proportion of different patches across the landscape, while function refers to how each element in the landscape interacts based on its life cycle events.[33]Pattern is the term for the contents and internal order of a heterogeneous area of land.[17]
A landscape with structure and pattern implies that it has spatial heterogeneity, or the uneven distribution of objects across the landscape.[6] Heterogeneity is a key element of landscape ecology that separates this discipline from other branches of ecology. Landscape heterogeneity is able to quantify with agent-based methods as well.[37]
Patch, a term fundamental to landscape ecology, is defined as a relatively homogeneous area that differs from its surroundings.[6] Patches are the basic unit of the landscape that change and fluctuate, a process called patch dynamics. Patches have a definite shape and spatial configuration, and can be described compositionally by internal variables such as number of trees, number of tree species, height of trees, or other similar measurements.[6]
Matrix is the "background ecological system" of a landscape with a high degree of connectivity. Connectivity is the measure of how connected or spatially continuous a corridor, network, or matrix is.[6] For example, a forested landscape (matrix) with fewer gaps in forest cover (open patches) will have higher connectivity. Corridors have important functions as strips of a particular type of landscape differing from adjacent land on both sides.[6] A network is an interconnected system of corridors while mosaic describes the pattern of patches, corridors, and matrix that form a landscape in its entirety.[6]
Landscape patches have a boundary between them which can be defined or fuzzy.[15] The zone composed of the edges of adjacent ecosystems is the boundary.[6]Edge means the portion of an ecosystem near its perimeter, where influences of the adjacent patches can cause an environmental difference between the interior of the patch and its edge. This edge effect includes a distinctive species composition or abundance.[6] For example, when a landscape is a mosaic of perceptibly different types, such as a forest adjacent to a grassland, the edge is the location where the two types adjoin. In a continuous landscape, such as a forest giving way to open woodland, the exact edge location is fuzzy and is sometimes determined by a local gradient exceeding a threshold, such as the point where the tree cover falls below thirty-five percent.[33]
A type of boundary is the ecotone, or the transitional zone between two communities.[12] Ecotones can arise naturally, such as a lakeshore, or can be human-created, such as a cleared agricultural field from a forest.[12] The ecotonal community retains characteristics of each bordering community and often contains species not found in the adjacent communities. Classic examples of ecotones include fencerows, forest to marshlands transitions, forest to grassland transitions, or land-water interfaces such as riparian zones in forests. Characteristics of ecotones include vegetational sharpness, physiognomic change, occurrence of a spatial community mosaic, many exotic species, ecotonal species, spatial mass effect, and species richness higher or lower than either side of the ecotone.[38]
An ecocline is another type of landscape boundary, but it is a gradual and continuous change in environmental conditions of an ecosystem or community. Ecoclines help explain the distribution and diversity of organisms within a landscape because certain organisms survive better under certain conditions, which change along the ecocline. They contain heterogeneous communities which are considered more environmentally stable than those of ecotones.[39] An ecotope is a spatial term representing the smallest ecologically distinct unit in mapping and classification of landscapes.[6] Relatively homogeneous, they are spatially explicit landscape units used to stratify landscapes into ecologically distinct features. They are useful for the measurement and mapping of landscape structure, function, and change over time, and to examine the effects of disturbance and fragmentation.
Disturbance is an event that significantly alters the pattern of variation in the structure or function of a system. Fragmentation is the breaking up of a habitat, ecosystem, or land-use type into smaller parcels.[6] Disturbance is generally considered a natural process. Fragmentation causes land transformation, an important process in landscapes as development occurs.
An important consequence of repeated, random clearing (whether by natural disturbance or human activity) is that contiguous cover can break down into isolated patches. This happens when the area cleared exceeds a critical level, which means that landscapes exhibit two phases: connected and disconnected.[40]
Landscape ecology theory stresses the role of human impacts on landscape structures and functions. It also proposes ways for restoring degraded landscapes.[16] Landscape ecology explicitly includes humans as entities that cause functional changes on the landscape.[15] Landscape ecology theory includes the landscape stability principle, which emphasizes the importance of landscape structural heterogeneity in developing resistance to disturbances, recovery from disturbances, and promoting total system stability.[17] This principle is a major contribution to general ecological theories which highlight the importance of relationships among the various components of the landscape.
Integrity of landscape components helps maintain resistance to external threats, including development and land transformation by human activity.[5] Analysis of land use change has included a strongly geographical approach which has led to the acceptance of the idea of multifunctional properties of landscapes.[18] There are still calls for a more unified theory of landscape ecology due to differences in professional opinion among ecologists and its interdisciplinary approach (Bastian 2001).
An important related theory is hierarchy theory, which refers to how systems of discrete functional elements operate when linked at two or more scales. For example, a forested landscape might be hierarchically composed of drainage basins, which in turn are composed of local ecosystems, which are in turn composed of individual trees and gaps.[6] Recent theoretical developments in landscape ecology have emphasized the relationship between pattern and process, as well as the effect that changes in spatial scale has on the potential to extrapolate information across scales.[33] Several studies suggest that the landscape has critical thresholds at which ecological processes will show dramatic changes, such as the complete transformation of a landscape by an invasive species due to small changes in temperature characteristics which favor the invasive's habitat requirements.[33]
Developments in landscape ecology illustrate the important relationships between spatial patterns and ecological processes. These developments incorporate quantitative methods that link spatial patterns and ecological processes at broad spatial and temporal scales. This linkage of time, space, and environmental change can assist managers in applying plans to solve environmental problems.[5] The increased attention in recent years on spatial dynamics has highlighted the need for new quantitative methods that can analyze patterns, determine the importance of spatially explicit processes, and develop reliable models.[33]Multivariate analysis techniques are frequently used to examine landscape level vegetation patterns. Studies use statistical techniques, such as cluster analysis, canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), or detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), for classifying vegetation. Gradient analysis is another way to determine the vegetation structure across a landscape or to help delineate critical wetland habitat for conservation or mitigation purposes (Choesin and Boerner 2002).[41]
Climate change is another major component in structuring current research in landscape ecology.[42] Ecotones, as a basic unit in landscape studies, may have significance for management under climate change scenarios, since change effects are likely to be seen at ecotones first because of the unstable nature of a fringe habitat.[38] Research in northern regions has examined landscape ecological processes, such as the accumulation of snow, melting, freeze-thaw action, percolation, soil moisture variation, and temperature regimes through long-term measurements in Norway.[43] The study analyzes gradients across space and time between ecosystems of the central high mountains to determine relationships between distribution patterns of animals in their environment. Looking at where animals live, and how vegetation shifts over time, may provide insight into changes in snow and ice over long periods of time across the landscape as a whole.
Other landscape-scale studies maintain that human impact is likely the main determinant of landscape pattern over much of the globe.[44][45] Landscapes may become substitutes for biodiversity measures because plant and animal composition differs between samples taken from sites within different landscape categories. Taxa, or different species, can "leak" from one habitat into another, which has implications for landscape ecology. As human land use practices expand and continue to increase the proportion of edges in landscapes, the effects of this leakage across edges on assemblage integrity may become more significant in conservation. This is because taxa may be conserved across landscape levels, if not at local levels.[46]
Land change modeling is an application of landscape ecology designed to predict future changes in land use. Land change models are used in urban planning, geography, GIS, and other disciplines to gain a clear understanding of the course of a landscape.[47] In recent years, much of the Earth's land cover has changed rapidly, whether from deforestation or the expansion of urban areas.[48]
Landscape ecology has been incorporated into a variety of ecological subdisciplines. For example, it is closely linked to land change science, the interdisciplinary of land use and land cover change and their effects on surrounding ecology. Another recent development has been the more explicit consideration of spatial concepts and principles applied to the study of lakes, streams, and wetlands in the field of landscape limnology. Seascape ecology is a marine and coastal application of landscape ecology.[49] In addition, landscape ecology has important links to application-oriented disciplines such as agriculture and forestry. In agriculture, landscape ecology has introduced new options for the management of environmental threats brought about by the intensification of agricultural practices. Agriculture has always been a strong human impact on ecosystems.[18]
In forestry, from structuring stands for fuelwood and timber to ordering stands across landscapes to enhance aesthetics, consumer needs have affected conservation and use of forested landscapes. Landscape forestry provides methods, concepts, and analytic procedures for landscape forestry.[50] Landscape ecology has been cited as a contributor to the development of fisheries biology as a distinct biological science discipline,[51] and is frequently incorporated in study design for wetland delineation in hydrology.[39] It has helped shape integrated landscape management.[52] Lastly, landscape ecology has been very influential for progressing sustainability science and sustainable development planning. For example, a recent study assessed sustainable urbanization across Europe using evaluation indices, country-landscapes, and landscape ecology tools and methods.[53]
Landscape ecology has also been combined with population genetics to form the field of landscape genetics, which addresses how landscape features influence the population structure and gene flow of plant and animal populations across space and time[54] and on how the quality of intervening landscape, known as "matrix", influences spatial variation.[55] After the term was coined in 2003, the field of landscape genetics had expanded to over 655 studies by 2010,[56] and continues to grow today. As genetic data has become more readily accessible, it is increasingly being used by ecologists to answer novel evolutionary and ecological questions,[57] many with regard to how landscapes effect evolutionary processes, especially in human-modified landscapes, which are experiencing biodiversity loss.[58]
^Troll C (1939). "Luftbildplan und ökologische Bodenforschung" [Aerial photography and ecological studies of the earth]. Zeitschrift der Gesellschaft für Erdkunde (in German). Berlin: 241–298.
^Turner MG (1989). "Landscape ecology: the effect of pattern on process". Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. 20: 171–197. doi:10.1146/annurev.es.20.110189.001131.
^ abcAllaby M (1998). Oxford Dictionary of Ecology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
^Banaszak J, ed. (2000). Ecology of Forest Islands. Bydgoszcz, Poland: Bydgoszcz University Press. p. 313.
^ abcKirchhoff T, Trepl L, Vicenzotti V (February 2013). "What is landscape ecology? An analysis and evaluation of six different conceptions". Landscape Research. 38 (1): 33–51. doi:10.1080/01426397.2011.640751. S2CID145421450. All the following quotations and descriptions come from this source.
^ abNeef E (1967). Die theoretischen Grundlagen der Landschaftslehre [The theoretical basics of landscape science] (in German). Gotha: Haack.
^ abHaase G (1990). "Approaches to, and methods of landscape diagnosis as a basis of landscape planning and landscape management". Ekológia. 9 (1): 31–44.
^ abForman RT, Godron M (November 1981). "Patches and structural components for a landscape ecology". BioScience. 31 (10): 733–40. doi:10.2307/1308780. JSTOR1308780.
^Forman RT, Godron M (1986). Landscape ecology. NY: Wiley.
^ abWiens JA, Milne BT (December 1989). "Scaling of 'landscapes' in landscape ecology, or, landscape ecology from a beetle's perspective". Landscape Ecology. 3 (2): 87–96. doi:10.1007/BF00131172. S2CID15683804.
^ abcWiens JA (1999). "The science and practice of landscape ecology.". In Klopatek JM, Gardner RH (eds.). Landscape ecological analyses: Issues and applications. NY: Springer. pp. 371–383.
^Leser H (1991). Landschaftsökologie. Ansatz, Modelle, Methodik, Anwendung. Stuttgart: Ulmer.
^Naveh Z, Lieberman AS (1984). Landscape ecology. Theory and application. NY: Springer.
^Naveh N (2000). "What is holistic landscape ecology? A conceptual introduction". Landscape and Urban Planning. 50 (1–3): 7–26. doi:10.1016/S0169-2046(00)00077-3.
^Zonneveld IS (1995). Land ecology: an introduction to landscape ecology as a base for land evaluation, land management and conservation. Amsterdam: SPB.
^However, not always under the designation 'landscape ecology', but as part of landscape stewardship, landscape architecture and, first and foremost, environmental or urban and landscape planning.
^Hard G (1973). Die Geographie. Eine wissenschaftstheoretische Einführung. Berlin: deGruyter. pp. 92–95.
^ abcdefgTurner MG, Gardner RH, eds. (1991). Quantitative Methods in Landscape Ecology. New York, NY, USA: Springer-Verlag.
^Troll C (2007). "The geographic landscape and its investigation.". In Wiens JA, Moss MR, Turner MG, Mladenoff DJ (eds.). Foundation papers in landscape ecology. New York: Columbia University Press. pp. 71–101. First published as: Troll C (1950). "Die geographische Landschaft und ihre Erforschung". Studium Generale. Vol. 3. pp. 163–181. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-38240-0_20. ISBN978-3-662-37475-7. cite book: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
^Wiens JA (2005). "Toward a unified landscape ecology". In Wiens JA, Moss MR (eds.). Issues and perspectives in landscape ecology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 365–373.
^Malczewski J (1999). GIS and Multicriteria Decision Analysis. New York, NY, USA: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
^Lyon J, Sagers CL (September 1998). "Structure of herbaceous plant assemblages in a forested riparian landscape". Plant Ecology. 138 (1): 1–6. doi:10.1023/A:1009705912710. S2CID28628830.
^Ochoa-Hueso R, Delgado-Baquerizo M, King PT, Benham M, Arca V, Power SA (February 2019). "Ecosystem type and resource quality are more important than global change drivers in regulating early stages of litter decomposition". Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 129: 144–152. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2018.11.009. hdl:10261/336676. S2CID92606851.
^Shaker RR (September 2015). "The well-being of nations: an empirical assessment of sustainable urbanization for Europe". International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology. 22 (5): 375–87. doi:10.1080/13504509.2015.1055524. S2CID154904536.
^Manel S, Schwartz MK, Luikart G, Taberlet P (April 2003). "Landscape genetics: combining landscape ecology and population genetics". Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 18 (4): 189–197. doi:10.1016/S0169-5347(03)00008-9. S2CID2984426.
Landscaping in Las Vegas can be a dream—or a disaster—depending on your approach. Here are five common mistakes to avoid when designing your desert-friendly yard.
1. Choosing the wrong plants. Not all greenery thrives in the desert. Stick to native or drought-tolerant species that can handle heat and low water.
2. Overwatering. More water doesn't mean better growth. Use drip irrigation and water during cooler hours to avoid evaporation.
3. Poor soil preparation. Las Vegas soil can be tough. Add compost and organic matter to improve drainage and plant health.
4. Ignoring the sun. Place shade-loving plants in protected areas. Full-sun spots need heat-resistant varieties to survive.
5. Skipping maintenance. Even low-maintenance yards need attention. Regular cleanup, mulching, and system checks keep your landscape looking sharp.
Avoiding these pitfalls will help you create a landscape that thrives in Las Vegas—beautiful, sustainable, and stress-free.
Creating the Perfect Low-Maintenance Landscape in Las Vegas
Living in Las Vegas comes with endless sunshine, desert beauty, and, yes—heat. While traditional lawns and gardens may struggle in this climate, low-maintenance landscaping offers an attractive, water-efficient solution that doesn’t sacrifice style.
Whether you're a homeowner looking to simplify your outdoor space or a busy professional wanting curb appeal without the upkeep, designing a low-maintenance yard in Las Vegas is all about smart planning, strategic choices, and knowing what works in the desert.
Why Go Low-Maintenance?
The truth is, Las Vegas landscapes aren’t meant for thirsty lawns or tropical plantings. A traditional yard with grass, high-water plants, and constant trimming can cost hundreds in water bills, not to mention hours of weekend labour.
Switching to a low-maintenance landscape brings several benefits:
Lower water usage (a must in drought-prone Southern Nevada)
Minimal upkeep—no mowing, fertilising, or constant trimming
More durability in extreme sun and heat
Modern aesthetic appeal that suits contemporary Las Vegas homes
Let’s look at the best strategies for creating a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape that thrives in the Vegas climate.
1. Start with Artificial Turf
One of the most popular choices in Las Vegas landscaping is artificial grass. Today’s synthetic turf looks incredibly realistic and provides the green-lawn look—without the water, mud, or mowing. It’s perfect for front yards, pet zones, and even backyard play areas.
Artificial turf lasts 15–20 years with minimal care, drains easily during rainstorms, and stays green year-round. It's also safe for kids and pets, making it an all-around winner.
2. Use Drought-Tolerant Plants
Plants can still play a major role in a low-maintenance landscape—if you choose the right ones. Native and desert-adapted plants like:
Red yucca
Desert spoon
Agave
Texas sage
Lantana
Aloe vera
These plants thrive in full sun, need very little water, and look amazing when grouped with rocks or gravel. Most of them bloom seasonally, adding pops of colour without demanding attention.
3. Incorporate Hardscaping
Hardscaping is your best friend when designing for function and beauty. Think paver patios, walkways, stone borders, gravel beds, and boulders. These elements break up space, require no maintenance, and bring texture and contrast to your yard.
Want to take it further? Add a fire pit, seating wall, or a pergola for instant outdoor-living appeal with zero watering required.
4. Say Goodbye to Sprinklers—Hello to Drip Irrigation
Traditional sprinklers waste water and often miss the mark. Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to plant roots, saving water and keeping your landscape healthy.
They’re easy to install, nearly invisible once in place, and compatible with smart irrigation controllers that adjust based on weather conditions.
5. Choose the Right Groundcover
Ditch the mulch and grass clippings. Instead, opt for decorative gravel, crushed granite, or decomposed granite to cover bare ground. These materials don’t blow away easily, reduce weed growth, and add visual interest.
Incorporate steel or stone edging to create clean lines and keep materials in place.
6. Keep It Clean and Clutter-Free
Less is more in low-maintenance landscaping. Instead of filling every space, focus on creating breathing room with strategic planting, negative space, and simple design elements. Fewer plants mean fewer tasks, and the result often looks more elegant and intentional.
Final Thoughts
Las Vegas homeowners are discovering that beautiful landscaping doesn’t need to be high-maintenance. With the right mix of turf alternatives, native plants, and hardscaping, you can enjoy a yard that’s functional, stylish, and refreshingly easy to manage.
At Rock N Block Turf N Hardscapes, we help transform dry, unused yards into outdoor retreats that reflect your lifestyle and save you time, water, and effort. Ready to go low-maintenance in high heat? Let’s talk.
Why Artificial Turf Is the Smart Landscaping Choice in Las Vegas
Let’s face it—keeping natural grass green in Las Vegas is no easy feat. That’s why more homeowners and businesses are switching to artificial turf.
Artificial grass offers the look of a lush lawn without the hassle of watering, mowing, or fertilising. It’s a practical solution for desert climates where water is scarce and temperatures soar.
Modern turf is pet-friendly, child-safe, and comes in textures that rival real grass. It drains quickly, stays cool underfoot, and resists fading—even under intense Las Vegas sun.
Installation may cost more upfront, but the long-term savings in water bills and maintenance more than make up for it. Plus, with proper care, artificial turf can last 15–20 years.
Whether you want a clean front yard, a durable play area, or a backyard that’s always photo-ready, artificial turf is a smart, sustainable investment for Las Vegas living.
