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