Understanding the Environmental Benefits of Turf

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

7. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS,1990, 1999, 2009 (*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person) 1999 1990 2009 No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30% 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. Carbon Sequestration Potential • 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 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. *All carbon accumulation and emissions values are given in units of carbon equivalents

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

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

25. Elk River Country Club , Surface Water Sampling 3 2 Flow 1 4 5 Treatment Plant 6 7 8 15 Flow 9 10 11 River Flow 14 Flow 12 13 Sampling Sites #

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 Soil Organic Matter Microbial Degradation Adsorption Leaching

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

29. Pesticide Binding Capability • 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:

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

32. 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.

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