The ecologically-oriented landscape architect (LA) can be a
critical link between the sound scientific understanding of
ecological processes and a biddable and constructible ecological
restoration project. Along with restoration planting and
irrigation design, the LA, when working closely with the
scientific community, can offer much broader expertise than a
team that does not include a spatial planner/designer. An LA’s
experience in site-specific analysis and problem solving through
a design methodology is a natural complement to ecologists’
insights into biological opportunities and constraints. Working
collaboratively, the LA and the ecologist can develop biological
design criteria to create feasible restoration approaches and
design solutions that provide significant biological functions
and values. As design concepts are developed, the landscape
architect can graphically communicate conceptual ideas so they
can be readily understood by scientists and other members of the
project team, as well as by regul