MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

AGS188  20016-99999

Arid Landscape Plants

1.

Describe environmental limitations and how municipalities adjust to limited water. (I)

2.

Describe current landscape design concepts for low water usage. (II)

3.

Describe how plant placement benefits associated plants and structures to modify environmental stress factors. (II)

4.

Describe how arid region plants collect and conserve water, and how these techniques can be used in landscape design. (III)

5.

Identify the botanical differences between major plant families and describe the important plant characteristics associated with landscape design. (IV)

6.

Describe the reasons for plant placement and how to categorize plants for this placement. (IV, V)

7.

Identify surveyed plants and assign to specific landscape situations by physical characteristics and cultural requirements. (VI)

8.

Specify appropriate plant size and spacing for landscape plants. (VII)

9.

Identify local growers and describe their inventory. (VII)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

AGS188  20016-99999

Arid Landscape Plants

I. Importance of Water Conservation in an Arid Environment

A. Water harvesting of surface runoff and ground water

B. Water usage and surplus depletion

C. Developing trends in water allocation

II. The Arid Region Landscape and Resource Conservation

A. Landscape type comparisons

1. Mini-oasis concept

2. Planting density concept

B. Designed plant symbiosis

C. Climate modification

III. Plant Adaptations to Arid Conditions

A. Leaf persistence

B. Water collection

C. Desert habitats

IV. Plant Characteristics

A. Family taxonomic features

B. Defining plant form, color, texture

C. Solar exposure

D. Habit

V. Landscape Usage

A. Aesthetic physical properties

B. Functional physical properties

VI. Plant Survey

A. Annuals

B. Perennial groundcovers

C. Small shrubs

D. Large shrubs

E. Trees

F. Vines

VII. Plant Availability and Landscape Design