AL Landscape flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Bubble diagram

A schematic planning tool of free-form circles representing functional spaces and arrows showing circulation and relationships, used before dimensional design begins.

Schematic design phase

The early design stage where concept options and general spatial arrangements are developed and presented to the client for approval before detailed design.

Site inventory

The systematic recording of existing site conditions such as topography, soils, drainage, vegetation, climate, views, and utilities before design begins.

Rule of thirds

A proportion guideline dividing a composition into a three-by-three grid so that key elements and focal points sit on intersections rather than the center.

Hardiness zone

A geographic rating based on average annual minimum temperature used to predict whether a plant will survive winter at a given location.

Right plant, right place

The horticultural principle of matching a plant's mature size, light, soil, and moisture needs to the actual conditions of the planting site.

Soil pH

A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity on a 0-14 scale that governs the availability of nutrients such as iron, phosphorus, and manganese to plants.

Balled-and-burlapped stock

Nursery trees and shrubs dug with a soil ball wrapped in burlap; they lose much of their root system and require careful establishment watering.

Xeriscape

A water-conserving landscape approach using drought-tolerant plants, soil improvement, mulching, efficient irrigation, and limited turf area.

Compaction test

A Proctor test measuring the maximum dry density of a soil or aggregate; field compaction is specified as a percentage of that value.

Expansion joint

A deliberate gap in concrete paving that allows slabs to move with temperature change, preventing random cracking; typically spaced 1.5 to 3 meters.

Base course

The compacted granular layer beneath paving that spreads loads to the subgrade; typically 100-150 mm for pedestrian and 200-300 mm for vehicular use.

Quantity takeoff

The process of measuring lengths, areas, and volumes from construction drawings to calculate material quantities for estimating and purchasing.

Percent slope

The steepness of a surface calculated as rise divided by run times 100; a 1:20 slope equals 5 percent.

Contour line

A line on a plan connecting points of equal elevation; the spacing between contours indicates the steepness of the terrain.

Drainage swale

A shallow, vegetated channel that conveys and infiltrates surface runoff, used instead of or alongside buried pipe drainage.

Cut and fill

Earthwork in which soil is removed from high areas (cut) and placed in low areas (fill); balancing the two minimizes hauling cost.

Head-to-head spacing

An irrigation layout rule spacing sprinkler heads at a distance equal to their throw diameter so each head wets the adjacent head.

Drip irrigation

A low-pressure system delivering water slowly through emitters of 1-4 liters per hour directly to the root zone, minimizing evaporation and runoff.

Distribution uniformity

A measure of how evenly an irrigation system applies water; low uniformity causes overwatering in some areas and drought stress in others.

Backflow preventer

A device installed on an irrigation connection to potable water that stops contaminated water from reversing into the drinking supply.

Evapotranspiration

The combined loss of water from soil evaporation and plant transpiration; reference ETo times a crop coefficient estimates plant water demand.

One-third mowing rule

The guideline that no more than one-third of the grass blade height should be removed in a single mowing to avoid stressing the turf.

Integrated pest management

A tiered pest strategy starting with prevention and cultural controls, then biological controls, and using targeted chemicals only as a last resort.

Mulch depth

The recommended layer of 50-75 mm of organic material over soil to suppress weeds, hold moisture, and moderate temperature, kept clear of trunks.

Pruning timing rule

Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after bloom because they flower on old wood; summer-flowering shrubs are pruned in late winter.

Low-impact development

A stormwater approach that manages rainfall close to its source through infiltration, storage, and evapotranspiration rather than rapid conveyance off site.

Rain garden

A shallow planted depression that captures and infiltrates runoff from roofs and paving, filtering pollutants and reducing peak stormwater flows.

Embodied carbon

The total greenhouse gas emissions associated with extracting, manufacturing, transporting, and installing a material over its life cycle.

Green infrastructure

A network of natural and designed systems such as trees, green roofs, and bioswales that provides ecosystem services including cooling, filtration, and habitat.

Markup versus margin

Markup is profit as a percentage of cost; margin is profit as a percentage of selling price, so the two figures differ for the same job.

Labor burden

The additional cost above base wages for taxes, insurance, and benefits, typically expressed as a multiplier of 1.3 to 1.6 on hourly wage.

Critical path

The longest chain of dependent tasks in a project schedule; any delay to a task on this path delays the entire project completion.