Environmental Horticulture: Science and Management of Green Landscapes (Modular Texts Series)

"Environmental horticulture - also referred to as landscape horticulture and amenity horticulture - is the umbrella term for the horticulture that we encounter in our daily lives. This includes parks, botanic gardens, sports facilities, landscape gardens, roundabouts, cemeteries, shopping centers - any public space which has grass, planting and trees. This book reflects contemporary thinking and is supported by scientific evidence to show the role, value and application of horticulture in the landscape. The discipline of environmental horticulture, its importance and impact on the wider environment is explored in the first part, while the second part covers practical horticultural management of different categories of environmental horticulture."--Provided by publisher Cover Environmental Horticulture: Science and Management of Green Landscapes Copyright Contents Acknowledgements 1: Introduction to Environmental Horticulture: Issues and Future 1.1 Defining Environmental Horticulture 1.2 Horticulture Involves Human Agency Environmental horticulture and relationships with pure (purist) ecology What genotypes should be planted? 1.3 Future Directions Horticulture’s role in improving the functionality of vegetation Conclusions References 2: Environmental Horticulture: Benefits and Impacts 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Microclimate Modification Urban heat islands Cooling buildings and energy efficiency Building insulation in winter Wind amelioration 2.3 Noise Amelioration 2.4 Carbon Sequestration and Release 2.5 Water Management Water management and sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) Trees and rainfall capture Turf and surface runoff Green roofs/walls and impact on runoff Urban water use Grey water 2.6 Air Pollution 2.7 Pesticides and other Interactions with Chemicals 2.8 Non-Native ‘Alien’ Species Conclusions References 3: Green Space and Well-Being 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The Evidence for Green Space Affecting Health and Well-Being Physiological health and physical fitness Psychological health benefits Health benefits and underlying mechanisms Health benefits – not proven? Health risks 3.3 Green Space and the Work Environment 3.4 Proximity, Scale and Type of Green Space 3.5 Horticulture as Therapy 3.6 Social Horticulture Green space and child development Green space – role in reducing crime and antisocial behaviour Green space and traffic calming 3.7 Environmental Horticulture and Healthy Diet 3.8 What Sort of Green Landscapes Should be Promoted? 3.9 Social Attitudes to Green Space and Values Conclusions References 4: Environmental Horticulture and Conservation of Biodiversity 4.1 Introduction 4.2 A Definition for Biodiversity 4.3 Urban Ecology and Habitats Mosaics, networks and patches Promoting urban biodiversity 4.4 What Sort of Species Inhabit Urban Areas? Plants Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Invertebrates 4.5 Management for Biodiversity Invasiveness Trend for planting more natives 4.6 Environmental Horticulture in Key Urban Wildlife Habitats Urban trees and woodland Parks and gardens Community gardens and allotments Wetlands and ponds Roads, railways and verges Brownfield sites, vacant plots and wastelands Conventional walls and roofs Green roofs and walls 4.7 Urban Biodiversity and Humans Conclusions References 5: Landscape Trees, Shrubs and Woody Climbing Plants 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Woody Plant Production Sexual propagation Seed Vegetative propagation Cuttings Grafting Growing-on 5.3 Retail and Markets Sustainable production 5.4 Establishment Size/age of transplant Soil conditions Urban soils Mycorrhizae Planting depth and protection 5.5 Maintenance Weed control Mulches Pruning 5.6 Right Plant, Right Place Wind tolerance Wet soils and flooding tolerance Drought tolerance and xeriscaping 5.7 Pests and Pathogens 5.8 Urban Forests Conclusions References 6: Herbaceous Plants and Geophytes 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Distinguishing between Herbaceous Plants and Geophytes 6.3 Patterns of Growth in Herbaceous Plants and Geophytes Herbaceous plants Geophytes 6.4 The Role of Herbaceous Plants and Geophytes in Designed Landscapes 6.5 Contemporary Options for Herbaceous and Geophyte Planting in Public Landscapes 6.6 Spatial Arrangements for Herbaceous Planting Block-based planting Repeating plantings of small blocks or individuals The number of plants forming each block The number of layer structures to be built in Incorporating geophytes into herbaceous and other plantings 6.7 Plant Selection Robustness in herbaceous plants and geophytes Structural form in herbaceous/ geophyte plant selection 6.8 Phenology 6.9 Attractiveness to Invertebrates 6.10 Palatability to Molluscs 6.11 Plant Establishment Specification, plant procurement, production systems Selecting the nursery product Timing of planting Planting protocols Mulching 6.12 Longer-Term Maintenance Weed control Controlling long-term community development 6.13 Manipulating Attractiveness Conclusions References 7: Semi-Natural Grasslands and Meadows 7.1 Introduction 7.2 The Role of Grass-Based Plant Communities in Urban Spaces 7.3 Changing the Mowing Regime to Create a Spring Meadow 7.4 Changing the Mowing Regime to Occasional Flail Cutting Characteristics of occasional flail-cut grass Diversifying flail-cut grass Geophytes Forbs 7.5 Changing from Gang Mowing to a Meadow Regime 7.6 Creating ‘Meadow’ Communities from Scratch 7.7 Choice of Plant Community Meadows Steppe Prairie 7.8 Designing a Seed Mix 7.9 Seed Management and Establishment Site preparation for sowing Sowing practice Post-sowing maintenance Conclusions References 8: Bedding and Annual Flowering Plants 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Commercial Production of Bedding Plants 8.3 Propagation and Production Factors Seed Germination Media Nutrition Temperature Light Irrigation Growth regulation – chemical and management tools 8.4 Sustainable Production 8.5 Transport and Retail Stages 8.6 Establishment in the Landscape Irrigation Nutrition 8.7 Annual Flower Beds from ‘Direct Sowing’ 8.8 Cornfield Annuals and Annual ‘Meadows’ 8.9 Pests and Pathogens Conclusions References 9: Lawns and Sports Turf 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Role of Turf in the Landscape 9.3 Grass Genotypes – Physiology and Traits 9.4 Grass Genotypes for More Sustainable Management Practices 9.5 Cultural Procedures Grass sward from seed Seed bed preparation Seeding and base fertilizer application Establishing a sward with turf 9.6 Lawn Maintenance Practices Mowing Mowing of less-intensively used swards Grass mowing machinery Alternative and low energy mowers and other turf machinery Grass clippings Thatch and mat Aeration and drainage Turf reinforcement 9.7 Shade 9.8 Nutrient Management Nitrogen, phosphate and potassium Leaching and runoff 9.9 Irrigation Irrigation control and scheduling Water quality and salinity stress Lawns and sustainable water use Attitudes to turf and water conservation 9.10 Pesticide Use and Integrated Pest Management 9.11 Less Intensive Management Genotype selection for ‘low input’ systems Growth regulation of the sward Artificial turf Areas where less intensive management is warranted Future directions Conclusions References 10: New Green Space Interventions – Green Walls, Green Roofs and Rain Gardens 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Green Walls Green façades Living walls Bio-walls 10.3 Green Roofs Green roof typology Weights and load bearings Substrate technology Irrigation How ‘green’ are green roofs? 10.4 Rain Gardens Water capture and infiltration Planting Pollutant control Conclusions References 11: Interior Landscapes 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Purpose and Function Health and well-being aspects of interior plant displays Modifying the interior aerial environment 11.3 Interior Plant Requirements Temperature Irradiance Air quality Growing media Irrigation 11.4 Acclimatization to Interior Environments 11.5 Pests and Pathogens 11.6 Managing the Interior Landscape 11.7 Environmental Sustainability Conclusions References Index Environmental horticulture is horticulture we encounter in our daily lives. It includes parks, botanic gardens, sports facilities, roundabouts, cemeteries and shopping centres. This textbook gives an overview of the subject, discusses the impacts it has on the environment and covers the practical management of environmental horticulture. Environmental horticulture - also referred to as landscape horticulture and amenity horticulture - is the umbrella term for the horticulture that we encounter in our daily lives. This includes parks, botanic gardens, sports facilities, landscape gardens, roundabouts, cemeteries, and shopping centres - any public space which has grass, planting and trees. A complete and comprehensive guide to an area most of us take for granted, Environmental Horticulture:- Comments and critiques contemporary thinking on the subject- Explores the role, value and application of horticulture in different landscapes- Reviews the importance and impact of horticulture on the wider environment- Covers practical management advice for categories of environmental horticulture such as turf grass, bedding plants, trees, grasslands and green roofsA vital resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students, this book is also a valuable addition to academic departments with an interest in green space management and wider environmental issues Ross W.f. Cameron And James D. Hitchmough. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.