AL Landscape key terms

The systematic recording of existing conditions on a property, such as topography, soils, vegetation, structures, utilities, and climate, before any design work begins.

The interpretation of inventory data to identify opportunities, constraints, and relationships that shape design decisions, such as sun paths, drainage patterns, and views.

A scaled drawing showing property boundaries, existing structures, utilities, and contour lines, used as the foundation for all design and construction documents.

An early, diagrammatic drawing that expresses the overall organization of spaces, circulation, and major features before detailed design is developed.

A precise, dimensioned drawing set that communicates materials, dimensions, and assembly details so a contractor can build the work accurately.

A geographic rating based on average annual minimum temperature that guides which perennial plants are likely to survive winter in a given area.

Localized conditions of temperature, wind, moisture, and light that differ from the surrounding region because of buildings, slopes, paving, or vegetation.

The selected group of plant species chosen for a project, organized by role such as canopy, understory, shrub mass, and groundcover.

The principle of matching a species to the light, soil, water, and space conditions of a site so it thrives with minimal intervention.

The compass direction a slope or building face is oriented toward, which strongly influences the sunlight and heat a planting area receives.

The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles in a soil, which govern drainage, water retention, and root growth.

The way soil particles clump into aggregates, controlling pore space, aeration, and how easily roots and water move through the profile.

The compression of soil that squeezes out pore space, reducing infiltration, aeration, and root penetration, often caused by construction traffic.

A line on a plan connecting points of equal elevation, used to read slope steepness and direction and to lay out grading and drainage.

A point on a drawing labeled with its exact finished or existing elevation, used to fix heights for paving, thresholds, and drainage structures.

The reshaping of ground surfaces to achieve desired elevations, slopes, and drainage while balancing cut and fill on the site.

The process of removing soil from high areas (cut) and placing it in low areas (fill) to reach design elevations, ideally balanced on site.

The final elevation and surface condition of the ground after grading, shown on plans so structures and plantings are set at correct heights.

The speed at which water moves down through soil, used to size drainage systems and to judge whether a site can absorb stormwater.

A shallow, graded channel that conveys and slows stormwater across a site; a vegetated swale also filters runoff and encourages infiltration.

A vegetated, gently sloped channel designed to capture, slow, and filter stormwater while allowing it to soak into underlying soils.

A shallow planted depression that collects runoff from roofs or paving, letting it pond briefly and infiltrate rather than run off site.

Any hard surface such as paving or roofing that blocks water from soaking into the ground, increasing runoff volume and peak flows.

A number expressing the fraction of rainfall that becomes surface runoff for a given surface type, used to estimate drainage flows.

The area of land that drains to a single low point, inlet, or drainage structure, used to calculate how much water a system must handle.

A portion of an irrigation system serving plants with similar water needs, allowing each zone to be scheduled separately and efficiently.

The combined loss of water from soil evaporation and plant transpiration, used to estimate how much irrigation a planting needs.

A low-pressure system that delivers water slowly and directly to plant root zones through emitters, minimizing evaporation and overspray waste.

A device or assembly that stops contaminated water from flowing backward into a potable supply, required on irrigation systems by plumbing codes.

A structure built to hold back soil at a change in grade, resisting lateral earth pressure through its mass, cantilever action, or reinforcement.

An anchor, such as a buried timber or concrete block, tied to a retaining structure to resist overturning or sliding forces.

The compacted layer of aggregate placed beneath paving to spread loads and provide a stable, well-drained foundation for the surface.

A manufactured unit such as concrete, brick, or stone set in a pattern over a base and bedding layer to form a durable, repairable surface.

Sand swept into the gaps between pavers to lock units together and reduce movement, sometimes stabilized to resist erosion and weeds.

A written record of incomplete or defective work identified near project completion, which the contractor must correct before final acceptance.

A written agreement signed by owner and contractor that modifies the scope, price, or schedule of work after the original contract is executed.

The stage at which work is sufficiently finished that the owner can use the project for its intended purpose, triggering warranty and closeout steps.

A percentage of each payment withheld by the owner until defined project milestones are met, protecting against incomplete or defective work.

A fixed cost per measured quantity of work, such as per square foot or per plant, used to price items and adjust for actual quantities installed.

The process of measuring quantities of materials and labor from drawings to build an accurate estimate of project cost.

A decision process that combines monitoring, cultural, biological, and least-toxic chemical controls to manage pests with minimal environmental harm.

A routine maintenance or growing technique, such as proper pruning, mulching, or mowing height, that keeps plants healthy and reduces problems.

The pest population size at which control action is justified because damage would otherwise exceed acceptable levels.

A layer of organic or mineral material spread over soil to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, moderate temperature, and improve soil over time.

A species that occurs naturally in a region and has adapted to its climate, soils, and wildlife, typically needing less water and care once established.

A network of natural and engineered systems, such as swales, rain gardens, and tree canopy, that manages stormwater and delivers environmental benefits.

A paving system that allows water to pass through joints, voids, or gaps into a base and subgrade, reducing runoff and recharging groundwater.

Design that reduces resource use, energy, water, and waste over a project's life while supporting healthy ecosystems and long-term site function.

The legally binding directions and warnings on a product container that must be followed for safe, lawful, and effective application.