HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Beard, J. B Articles by Green, R. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Beard, J. B Articles by Green, R. L. Agricola Articles by Beard, J. B Articles by Green, R. L.

The Role of Turfgrasses in Environmental Protection and Their Benefits to Humans

formerly Dep. of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, currently International Sports Turf Institute, College Station, Texas 77843,

Robert L. Green

Dep. of Botany and Plant Sciences, Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92521.

^* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Turfgrasses have been utilized by humans to enhance their environment for more than 10 centuries. The complexity and comprehensiveness of these environmental benefits that improve our quality-of-life are just now being quantitatively documented through research. Turfgrass benefits may be divided into (i) functional, (ii) recrcational, and (iii) aesthetic components. Specific functional benefits include: excellent soil erosion control and dust stabilization thereby protecting a vital soil resource; improved recharge and quality protection of groundwater, plus flood control; enhanced entrapment and biodegradation of synthetic organic compounds; soil improvement that includes CO₂ conversion; accelerated restoration of disturbed soils; substantial urban heat dissipation-temperature moderation; reduced noise, glare, and visual pollution problems; decreased noxious pests and allergy-related pollens; safety in vehicle operation on roadsides and engine longevity on airfields; lowered fire hazard via open, green turfed firebreaks; and improved security of sensitive installations provided by high visibility zones. The recrcational benefits include a low-cost surface for outdoor sport and leisure activities, enhanced physical health of participants, and a unique low-cost cushion against personal impact injuries. The aesthetic benefits include enhanced beauty and attractiveness; a complimentary relationship to the total landscape ecosystem of flowers, shrubs and trees; improved mental health with a positive therapeutic impact, social harmony and stability; improved work productivity; and an overall better quality-of-life, especially in densely populated urban areas.

Contribution of Texas Agric. Exp. Stn. TA no. 30759.

Received for publication January 29, 1993.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. S. Walker, C. A. Bigelow, D. R. Smith, G. E. Van Scoyoc, and Z. J. Reicher Aboveground Responses of Cool-Season Lawn Species to Nitrogen Rates and Application Timings Crop Sci., May 31, 2007; 47(3): 1225 - 1236. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. C. Shearman Fifty Years of Splendor in the Grass Crop Sci., September 8, 2006; 46(5): 2218 - 2229. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Annicchiarico, L. Russi, E. Piano, and F. Veronesi Cultivar Adaptation across Italian Locations in Four Turfgrass Species Crop Sci., January 24, 2006; 46(1): 264 - 272. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Wu, R.L. Green, G. Liu, M.V. Yates, P. Pacheco, J. Gan, and S.R. Yates Partitioning and Persistence of Trichlorfon and Chlorpyrifos in a Creeping Bentgrass Putting Green J. Environ. Qual., May 1, 2002; 31(3): 889 - 895. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D.S. Gardner, B.E. Branham, and D.W. Lickfeldt Effect of Turfgrass on Soil Mobility and Dissipation of Cyproconazole Crop Sci., September 1, 2000; 40(5): 1333 - 1339. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J.W. Roy, G.W. Parkin, and C. Wagner-Riddle Water Flow in Unsaturated Soil Below Turfgrass: Observations and LEACHM (within EXPRES) Predictions Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., January 1, 2000; 64(1): 86 - 93. [Abstract] [Full Text]