The Challenge of Landscape: the development and practice of keyline

The Challenge of Landscape presents the foundational principles and practical application of Keyline Design, a pioneering system for sustainable land and water management developed by P.A. Yeomans in the mid-20th century. The book details Yeomans’s innovative approach to optimising the use of natural landforms to improve water distribution, increase soil fertility, and combat erosion. Central to the method is the identification of “keypoints” and “keylines” in the landscape, which guide the placement of earthworks and cultivation patterns to maximise water retention and enhance agricultural productivity. This work established Keyline Design as a vital framework for regenerative agriculture and landscape engineering.