Colorado experienced a lengthy drought that forced watering restrictions just a few years ago. The high-desert designation of the state makes drought occurrence a reasonable expectation. Lawns turn brown, but rebound once the patterns change. And we’ve had fairly wet seasons the past few years.

It’s harder for typically wet states to cope with the idea of drought. Georgia was hit with drought this year that forced state-mandated watering restrictions in 61 counties. The growth in the state has increased water usage and added significant impervious surfaces that contribute to water problems.

An opinion piece in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution by the vice president of the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council made some interesting points about the urban landscape’s contribution to a sustainable environment that got me thinking.

“Lawns, ground covers and vegetation are crucial to managing ground water and assist in retention, filtration and purification of a watershed. Vegetative systems also increase the urban forest, remove CO2 from the air, reduce the urban heat effect, improve air quality, reduce stream pollution, provide critical wildlife habitats and provide a more aesthetically pleasing and sustainable environment.”

I find no fault in this general assessment, but find missing from the piece any mention of natural landscape vs. manicured landscape. In Colorado there’s been a move to more drought-resistant native species and types of grass that are more hardy and suited to the climate. It seems that a discussion on landscaping to conserve water might be a good tact for the urban landscape industry to take. Not only would this trade on the industry’s expertise of suitable horticulture, but it would pose an opportunity for the industry as a whole to replace existing landscapes with less water-hungry types.

There’s also a defensiveness in the piece regarding facts about residential water use, with a statement that outdoor water use accounts for only 20 percent of residential water use. That statement seems off-base to me as it neglects mention of the massive water use by parks and golf courses that certainly contribute to a lack of available water.

Instead of indiscriminate restrictions that affect everyone, I think Georgia needs to spend more time analyzing the problem of drought and water use for a long-term and environmentally-friendly solution. Integrated geospatial technology provides the essential toolset to understand complex hydrological systems as well as the health and sustainability of the urban landscape.

Satellite and aerial imagery vendors have long contributed to the understanding of impervious surfaces. Multispectral imagery can help with classification of existing species and help determine an optimal mix. Detailed models exist that quantify the stormwater benefits of the urban landscape. More complex and cross-disciplinary models are being developed to understand the interrelationships of large Earth systems.

GIS and allied tools and sensors can provide management strategies that balance climate change with environmental health and sustainability. It’s clear that water quality and availability issues will only increase as climate change continues to effect our environment. Harnessing geospatial tools with a holistic management approach can provide significant benefits.

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