Source:
Technical igK Dpt.
2 December 2013
Environmental benefits of Turfgrass (I)
Adequate planning and maintenance of a turfgrass surface, both of sporting and ornamental turfgrass, provides environmental benefits that are particularly significant when compared to other agricultural and industrial activities, and the majority of business activities in general.
La evaporación a través de los estomas actúa como un filtro, devolviendo agua limpia a la atmósfera
The environmental benefits are concerned not only with the conservation of water and air, but also the forgotten soil conservation. Here we list some of them.
Erosion and sediment control: It helps improve protection against water and air erosion. Our soil is one of the most valuable resources and also one of the least renewable. Large areas of terrain are prone to moderate to serious erosion problems. Soil erosion is just one step away from desertification.
Soil conservation and improvement: The high density of the plant surface prevents compacting, which increases the stability of soil additives, stimulates organic material content and increases fertility. In short, it efficiently contributes to soil conservation.
Suspended particle reduction: Airborne solid particles, such as dust, are captured and absorbed on leaf surfaces, improving air quality and reducing pollution and related allergic reactions.
Replenishing subterranean aquifers: By reducing erosion and surface runoff, we foment deep water infiltration and replenish the aquifers.
Temperature regulators: In urban areas the temperature can be 9º to 11ºF (5º to 6ºC) higher than in neighboring rural zones. Through the process of evapotranspiration (we should recall that 10% of the water suspended in the atmosphere comes from this process), turfgrass cools the air mass in contact with the surface, which causes the heat generated by our activity to dissipate, lowering the temperature and cooling the environment.
SO2 absorption: While sulfur dioxide enters the atmosphere naturally by volcanic and ocean emissions, most of it is generated by industrial processes, power plants, and the burning of carbon and oil based products. SO2 oxidation and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere becomes sulfuric acid and nitric acid when they interact with water vapor and then dissolve, causing acid rain, which has all types of harmful effects in the environment. Plants can absorb sulfur dioxide through the leaf stomata. Although this does not bring any benefits to the plant, it clearly benefits the environment.
Filtering and purifying water. Preventing pollution: Turfgrass creates an extremely dense adventitious root system that intercepts a large part of the nutrients and chemical elements that are dissolved in the water. Thanks to evaporatranspiration, the clean water is released again into the atmosphere.