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

2. J. Environ. Qual. 23:452-460 (1994)

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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC

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

10. 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 60:587-592 Kuo and Taylor, 2004, American J Public Health 94:1580-1586

11. Economic Analysis for Ecosystem Service Assessments, Oct 2010

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

16. 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):15827-15829 Qian and Follett 2002, Agron J 94:930-935 Milesi et al. 2005, Environmental Management 36(3):426-438

17. U.S. Acreage

18. Milesi et al., Environmental Management., 36:426-438 (2005)

19. Carbon Calculator

20. Property A output

21. Property AProperty B # trees: 258 turfgrass area: 1 acre1/3 acre mower type: gas-powered ridinggas-powered push mowing frequency: ------ 26 times per year ------ fertilizer rate: 4 lb N per 1000 ft 2 1 lb N per 1000 ft 2 vehicle 1: ------ 12,000 miles @ 25 MPG gasoline ------ vehicle 2: 15,000 miles @ 35 MPG dieselnone *All carbon accumulation and emissions values are given in units of carbon equivalents Property AProperty B + Carbon accumulation trees 1823593 turfgrass 809270 - Maintenance emissions fertilizer production 21518 nitrous oxide from fertilizer 16538 mowing emissions 23021 Net sequestration in landscape:2022786 Automotive emissions vehicle 1 2562 vehicle 2 2625 Total vehicle emissions:51872562 vehicle emissions offset by lawn accumulation:39%31%

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

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

25. Elk River Country Club, Surface Water Sampling River Flow Flow 1 3 4 5 7 8 9 1011 12 15 13 14 6 Sampling Sites # 2 Treatment Plant

26. Elk River Rufty T, et al. 2008. Water quality adjacent to golf courses in the southern Applachia. Acta Horticulturae, 783:229-238.

27. Pesticide

28. 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

29. 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

30. Materials and Methods Five herbicides included: Five herbicides included:

31. 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

32. 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

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

34. Understanding the Environmental Benefits of Turf Thank You