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Extension > Garden > Lawns and turfgrass management > Lawn care > Environmental benefits of a healthy, sustainable lawn

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Environmental benefits of a healthy, sustainable lawn

Turfgrass is an important component of urban and rural lawns and landscapes. It can prevent erosion by wind and water, improve flood control and the breakdown of organic chemicals, provide noise abatement and wildlife habitat, create a cooling effect during warm weather, and add visual appeal.

Turfgrass improves water quality and prevents erosion

Turfgrasses are some of the most effective ground covers for preventing erosion of very steep slopes, saturated soil, severely compacted soil and frozen ground. When established, they allow water to better infiltrate into the soil.

These cool season grasses have a dense network of roots that help trap and remove pollutants from water as it moves through the soil. And runoff water moves slower, so it cannot carry as much sediment or other soil particles as faster-moving water.

Turfgrass improves soil

The periodic shedding of grass roots, stems and leaves is a normal part of the annual growth cycle of cool season grasses and adds large amounts of helpful organic matter to the soil over time.

This organic material creates a more healthy, thick and vigorous lawn by improving soil structure. It contributes to improved water infiltration, increased rooting depth allowing for greater access to soil water and nutrients, and improved microbial activity.

Turfgrass cools the air

Lawns, trees, and shrubs play an important role in reducing air temperatures by providing shade and evaporation (evapotranspiration - the process of water evaporating off of plants).

Temperature reduction can range from 7° to 14°F and can curb summer air conditioning costs. One estimate suggests that planting lawns and other landscape plants could reduce total U.S. air conditioning energy requirements by 25%.

Lawns also provide cooler places for summer recreation than asphalt or concrete surfaces. In addition to a lawn's cooling effects, it also acts as a cushion that can reduce the potential for injuries.

Turfgrass benefits air quality

Healthy lawns and other landscape plants contribute to improved air quality by acting as traps for dust and other airborne particles. Because a lawn completely covers a soil surface, soil particles are prevented from blowing around and being carried to another area.

During the active growing season, it is estimated that a healthy lawn area of 25 square feet will provide enough oxygen for one adult person for one day. Green plants, including lawns, through photosynthesis, reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere while giving back oxygen.

Recycling clippings by mulching and leaving on the lawn to decompose decreases the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere by 11 to 59% over removing clippings.

Turfgrass benefits health and creates beauty

Lawns and landscape plantings contribute to reductions in noise levels by absorbing and deflecting sounds; they also reduce glare and light reflection.

Appealing landscapes have positive effects on people. A healthy, maintained lawn creates an inviting view for those passing by and provides a pleasing, natural backdrop for other landscape elements.

Well-kept lawns support neighborhood interaction and strengthen the social connections within a community.

References

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