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The primer discusses the applicability of ecological data and principles
to landscape planning in the Middle East. An understanding of natural processes
should improve the viability as well as the quality of landscape design.
Recognizing and protecting natural systems that buffer human developments
from harsh environmental forces, such as wind erosion, is one important
avenue of applying ecological information. Selection of plant species and
plant associations from native vegetation and developing their use in land
reclamation and landscape design is another very promising application.
In this context, we discuss current problems, describe environmental factors
and suggest ways that the environmental and ecological information can be
used in developing new approaches. The use of native plants for large area
landscape management is especially emphasized as a low maintenance, sustainable
landscape approach. |
