Sustainability maintained turf serves the environment in many ways.
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Turfgrass Reduces Runoff
Turfgrasses slow down the speed and reduce the force of flowing water, allowing more of it to be absorbed into the soil to the benefit of groundwater reserves. Also, any settlement that has been picked up by water is invariably trapped within the stand of turfgrass. This prevents many of the pollutants and other chemicals that rain water gathers from ending up in our water system; instead they go in the soil where they can be broken down safely. Runoff and subsequent soil erosion is considered to be one of the main causes of nutrient contamination of our water supplies. Reducing stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces is a relatively new concept in landscape design with rain gardens being developed in some residential neighborhoods. Some researchers are also recommending designing turf areas to serve as catchments and filtrations zones for polluted runoff water.
Turfgrass Prevent Erosion
Turf systems are not only efficient at catching and filtering water but are also very efficient at holding on to nutrients. Nutrients such as phosphorus are fixed onto soil particles or taken up by the turf, and they do not leach out readily. Turf&#;s fibrous root system binds the soil together preventing it from being carried off by rains and wind. The blades of grass also slow down rainwater, reducing the amount of soil being carried off by the force of the water. With soil erosion becoming an increasing problem, turfgrass can play vital role in reducing losses.
Turfgrass Replenishes Air
Plants take up carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere and grass is no exception. Well-managed turfgrass can also help reduce pollen production by preventing the growth of weedy species which produce significant amounts of airborne pollen. Dust and other airborne allergens are also trapped within a dense stand of turf.
Turfgrass Promotes Safety
Healthy turfgrass serves as a barrier to fire damage and is capable of preventing a large fire from spreading out of control. Well-maintained lawns also deter insect pests such as ticks from invading and rodent pests are typically deterred from crossing large areas of turf. Turfgrass is also a soft surface for recreational purposes- statistics indicate injuries are reduced when compared with artificial services. Natural turf offers a safe, resilient surface for children.
Turfgrass Regulate Temperature
Turf is considerably cooler than most other common surfaces, fifteen degrees colder than concrete and 30 degrees less than synthetic turf. The process of transpiration has a cooling affect that lowers the temperature of the air around the turfgrass plant. Studies have shown that the amount of heat given off by bare soil or poorly maintained turf is substantially more than that of a healthy well maintained stand of turfgrass.
Turfgrass Supports Bioremediation
Pollutants, such hydrocarbons and heavy metals, that are detrimental to the health of people, plants, and animals, often end up in our soil where these substances can be broken down by bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. A healthy stand of turfgrass possess an extensively fibrous root system, providing both the habitat and energy source for these microbial populations to be much more productive than other plant systems.
Turfgrass Sequesters Carbon
Stands of healthy turfgrass play an important role in carbon sequestration or removal of carbon from the atmosphere. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is converted into plant biomass allowing for long-term storage of carbon below the ground within roots. Where grassland systems differ from other ecosystems is that the below ground biomass is relatively large compared to the above ground growth.
Turfgrass Helps with Noise
Turf studies have demonstrated that if turf is planted on a sloped barrier facing a noise source, noise can be reduced by as much as 8 to 10 decibels. Any noise that penetrates is rendered softer and less irritating.
Artificial turf often gets a bad rap, and there are those people who continue to claim that real grass is safer and offers better performance. However, the truth is that turf offers the same level of safety and performance as grass fields. On the other hand, the fact that artificial turf offers all of the following benefits means that it should really be considered as the far superior option when compared to natural grass.
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Increased Playing Time
One of the largest problems with grass fields is that they tend to degrade in quality with high usage. In order to keep a grass field in good condition, it is necessary to limit the amount of playing time and also allow the grass to rest for several days in between use. None of this is a problem when you choose to install turf instead of laying down sod or planting seed. Compared to natural grass fields, turf is far better at standing up to heavy, repeated use without damage. In fact, a high-quality turf field can easily be used for hours each and every day with no ill effects.
Lower Maintenance
Ask anyone who&#;s ever had to maintain a grass field and they will tell you that a whole lot of time and effort goes into keeping the field in good condition. Watering, mowing, and fertilizing are all necessary to keep grass looking attractive and in playable condition. It is usually also necessary to replace parts of the grass or reseed the field in order to overcome the damage caused by repeated use. With a synthetic turf field, maintenance is minimal. In fact, after the turf installation is complete, almost no other tasks are necessary to keep it in good shape. In this sense, the lower maintenance definitely makes turf the preferred alternative.
Better for the Environment
Grass fields require a substantial amount of water to continue growing green and healthy. As water is one of our most important natural resources, it is essential that we do whatever we can to help cut down on waste. In this way, a turf field is definitely a great alternative since it NEVER needs watering. In addition, you can also eliminate the pollution and environmental damage caused by mowing and fertilizing a grass field. All of this means that turf is far more environmentally friendly.
Less Expensive in the Long Run
Turf installation isn&#;t exactly cheap, and there is no doubt that the upfront costs of turf are definitely higher than with grass fields. However, the fact that turf is low maintenance, long-lasting, and doesn&#;t need to be watered means that the turf will generally pay for itself within a few years. Although price definitely isn&#;t everything, turf will still offer you a far greater return on your investment in the long run.
Works Well in Any Climate
Grass fields can be extremely difficult to maintain in even the best conditions. However, the task can become nearly impossible during more extreme weather conditions. Freezing winters and sweltering summers can quickly kill off the grass and severely degrade the quality of the playing field. At the same time, both droughts and heavy rains have the potential to dramatically damage grass. This is yet another area where turf is a much better choice as it is guaranteed to stay in pristine condition no matter what weather conditions it&#;s faced with.
At MRC Recreation, we have years of experience in turf installation and use only the highest quality products from Desso Sports Systems. After examining the differences between grass and turf, there is no doubt that turf is the clear champion. Still, if you&#;re not convinced, why not contact us to learn more about why turf is the ideal choice for your needs.
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