Understanding the Environmental Benefits of Turf Dr. Travis Gannon Department of Crop Science, NC State

J. Environ. Qual. 23: (1994)

Benefits of Turf Physical and Mental Health Carbon Sequestration Nutrient and Pesticide Mitigation

Benefits of Turf Physical and Mental Health Carbon Sequestration Nutrient and Pesticide Mitigation

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990, 1999, 2009 (*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person) 1990 No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30% Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990, 1999, 2009 (*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person) 1990 No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30% 1999 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990, 1999, 2009 (*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person) 1990 No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30% Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC

Superior Surface on Which to Play US Census Data – Participation in Selected Sports Activities: 2008

General Health Benefits Green space in people’s living environment has a positive association with general health of residents Maas, J. et al. 2006, J Epidemiol Community Health 60: Kuo and Taylor, 2004, American J Public Health 94:

Economic Analysis for Ecosystem Service Assessments, Oct 2010

Benefits of Turf Physical and Mental Health Carbon Sequestration Nutrient and Pesticide Mitigation

Forest plantations: 4 ton / ha (2.5 acres) / yr Turfgrasses: 1 ton / ha (2.5 acres) / yr 16.4 million ha (40.5 million acres) of turfgrass area in US Carbon Sequestration Potential Jackson and Schlesinger 2004, PNAS 101(45): Qian and Follett 2002, Agron J 94: Milesi et al. 2005, Environmental Management 36(3):

U.S. Acreage

Milesi et al., Environmental Management., 36: (2005)

Carbon Calculator

Property A output

Property AProperty B # trees: 258 turfgrass area: 1 acre1/3 acre mower type: gas-powered ridinggas-powered push mowing frequency: times per year fertilizer rate: 4 lb N per 1000 ft 2 1 lb N per 1000 ft 2 vehicle 1: , MPG gasoline vehicle 2: 15, MPG dieselnone *All carbon accumulation and emissions values are given in units of carbon equivalents Property AProperty B + Carbon accumulation trees turfgrass Maintenance emissions fertilizer production nitrous oxide from fertilizer mowing emissions Net sequestration in landscape: Automotive emissions vehicle vehicle Total vehicle emissions: vehicle emissions offset by lawn accumulation:39%31%

Benefits of Turf Physical and Mental Health Carbon Sequestration Nutrient and Pesticide Mitigation

Nitrogen Fate Water table Atmospheric loss Leaching Subsurface flow Plant uptake Organic matter Run-off N - fertilizer Clipping

Elk River Country Club, Surface Water Sampling River Flow Flow Sampling Sites # 2 Treatment Plant

Elk River Rufty T, et al Water quality adjacent to golf courses in the southern Applachia. Acta Horticulturae, 783:

Pesticide

Turfgrass & Pesticide Applications In established turfgrass environments: In established turfgrass environments: Pesticides are not applied directly to soil Pesticides are not applied directly to soil Larger, more diverse microbial populations are supported Larger, more diverse microbial populations are supported

Pesticide Binding Capability Organic matter layer near soil surface of turfgrass system effective in binding pesticides Organic matter layer near soil surface of turfgrass system effective in binding pesticides 4 yr 21 yr 99 yr

Materials and Methods Five herbicides included: Five herbicides included:

µg kg -1 (ppb) Vegetation, aboveground vegetation. Surface soil, 0 – 4 cm. Subsurface soil, 4 – 91 cm. Analyte Recovered Pooled over atrazine, mesotrione and sulfentrazone

µg kg -1 (ppb) Vegetation, aboveground vegetation. Surface soil, 0 – 4 cm. Subsurface soil, 4 – 91 cm. BaregroundBermudagrass % of total Veg. or surface soil4487 Subsurface soil5613 Analyte Recovered Pooled over atrazine, mesotrione and sulfentrazone

Turfgrasses Add Value Turfgrasses add value to the landscape and offer many benefits to society and to the environment.

Understanding the Environmental Benefits of Turf Thank You