This book provides an understanding of desert environments, their climatic conditions, and unique physical beauty - using the five American deserts of the southwestern United States as an example. Through considerable research, sensitivity, and practical experience, the author provides insight into how built environments are designed and installed in order to cope with the harsh, unforgiving physiographic area. Bridging the gap between professional jargon and common sense, Desert Landscape Architecture displays detailed information for every facet of landscape design, environmental concerns, water issues, cultural issues, and plant material use.
This unique, thorough book:

Provides information applicable to any desert region of the world

Supplies a plant compendium with extensive plant lists comprising more than 750 species

Examines desert flora and fauna as well as the fragile ecosystems they occupy

Reviews human use areas

Investigates grading from an aesthetic and practical standpoint

Explains the significance of adequate site drainage

Discusses schematic, preliminary, and working drawing plans

Lists types of site furnishings and their specific purposes

Describes how various hardscape elements are drawn and specified

Explains plant growth in detail

Discusses the dynamics of plant communities and their function in larger ecosystems

Reviews the factors affecting plant selection in the design process

Identifies desert planning zones

Emphasizes the critical nature of irrigation design in the desert landscape architecture - explaining it as an environmental necessity, not a technical issue

Outlines the basic principles of hydrology related to system design

Discusses water conservation and presents alternatives for reducing water consumption

Examines types of light and suitable applications

Describes lighting design concepts and explores how lighting is graphically depicted on plans

Examines the role of initial programming for the success of the project

Describes project bidding and field observation process

Reviews maintenance components such as pruning and fertilization
List of plates include:
World Deserts and Geography
North American Deserts
Southwest U.S. Deserts
Design Process
Design Elements
Solar Orientation
Contour Interpretation
Gradients
Drainage Structures
Roadway Design
The Outdoor Room
Human Dimensions
Water Features
Tree Physiology
Plant Physiology
Plant Reproduction
Plant Orders
Micro Planting Zones
Macro Planting Zones Native Vegetation
Backflow Prevention
Conventional System Equipment
Emitter System Equipment
Electrical Components
Lighting Techniques
Tree Maintenance
Shrub Maintenance