Name a principle of landscape grading and drainage.

Managing water runoff to prevent erosion is a fundamental principle of landscape grading and drainage. This principle is essential because improper handling of water can lead to soil erosion, which not only degrades the landscape but can also harm plant health and disrupt the natural water cycle. Effective grading ensures that water flows away from structures and towards designated drainage areas, minimizing the risk of erosion by controlling how water moves across the surface. By creating slopes and contours that direct runoff to specific points, landscape designers can prevent water from pooling and causing damage, thereby maintaining the integrity of the landscape.

Other considerations, such as plant aesthetic appeal, the use of non-native species, and minimizing soil disturbance, are important for overall landscape design but do not directly address the critical issues of drainage and erosion control. These aspects may improve the visual aspects of a landscape but do not fundamentally alter how water is managed in relation to grading and drainage. Thus, managing water runoff is at the heart of successful landscape grading strategies.