November 21, 2007

Book Review - Constructed Wetlands in the Sustainable Landscape

Constructed Wetlands in the Sustainable Landscape
Craig S. Campbell and Michael H. Ogden
TD 756.5 .C35 1999

This book advocates sustainable development and seeks to find a place for wetlands in that process. The two opening chapters discuss the history and ideas surrounding sustainable development and the ecological processes occurring in wetlands. With that context, the remaining eight chapters offer possibilities for combining the two ideas--either using wetlands in order to make surrounding growth and development more environmentally friendly or to construct wetlands for their aesthetic beauty and value as an ecosystem for wildlife. Design goals and planning considerations are discussed for several possible uses of wetlands. Numerous examples of multi-use wetlands are also discussed, demonstrating the practical application of these authors' vision.