Water conservation in urban landscapes
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
HortScience
Volume
35
Issue
6
Publisher
American Society for Horticultural Science
Publication Date
10-1-2000
First Page
1037
Last Page
1040
Abstract
As limited fresh-water supplies, particularly in arid regions, meet increased urban demand for water, landscape water conservation will become more important. A variety of methods to conserve water and/or moderate demand are available to water managers and consumers. Precision landscape irrigation can moderated demand to levels needed to meet plant and system uniformity needs. Precision-irrigated turf landscapes still consume large amounts of water. The value of extensive turfgrass in golf courses, formal gardens, and recreational fields can often offset the cost of water. In many landscapes turf is used out of habit or ease and cost of installation, with little thought given to alternative designs using plant material that is less resource-intensive. As water costs and demand rise, the cost of conventional landscapes with turfgrass used mindlessly also increases, thus mindful alternatives such as low-water-use landscapes will become more common.
Recommended Citation
Kjelgren, R., L. Rupp, and D. Kilgren. 2000. Water conservation in urban landscapes. HortScience 35:1037-1043.