Benefits
The Immediate Environmental Benefits from Turf Establishment by Sodding
The options in turf establishment in Ontario are basically sodding, seeding and hydro-seeding. As one assesses the sodding option from the standpoint of immediate environmental benefits, there are several significant dimensions:
Erosion Control - Sodding offers immediate stabilization of the construction site thereby avoiding significant loss of soil by wind or water erosion.
Water Conservation - Sodded turf sites will require irrigation for a shorter period of time after planting than sites which are seeded.
Reduced Herbicide Use - When establishing a turf with quality sod, there should be no need for weed control for several years.
Reduced Probability Of Failure - Frequently, turf must be established on very adverse sites such as impermeable clays, steep or stony sites and poorly drained areas. Proper sodding has a much higher potential for successful stabilization of the area with turf. Risk of failure by seeding is great and may require repeat plantings.
Earlier Environmental Benefits - Sodding offers a significant range of immediate benefits which contribute to life in urban areas. These are listed more fully in the following notes, "Benefits of Turfgrass."
Benefits of Turfgrass
Turfgrass, a major contributor to the protection of our environment and the enhancement of our quality of life, uniquely offers the following benefits:
Environmental
Soil Erosion Control - Protection of a Vital Natural Resource - Installation of turfgrass sod offers immediate superior stabilization of the installation site, thereby avoiding significant loss of a vital natural resource, our soil, by wind or water erosion.
Water Conservation - Ground Water Recharge - Flood Control - Turfgrass sod has a superior capability of trapping and holding rain water in place for ground water recharge and thereby reduces run-off and the need for more extensive flood control structures. It also enhances the moisture content of the root zone thus further reducing the need for irrigation.
Soil Enrichment - Carbon Storage - Turfgrass sod forms a very extensive fibrous root system that extends throughout the root zone in the soil. As they decay, micro-organisms form humus which was originally derived from atmospheric carbon dioxide, and thus improves soil productivity. New roots are continually developing, dying off, and decomposing.
Discourages Nuisance Pests - Mowed grass discourages rats, mice, snakes, mosquitoes, ticks and similar nuisance pests that tend to seek a more protective habitat in tall landscape plantings.
Organic Chemicals Decomposer - The turfgrass-soil-microbiological ecosystem is one of the best in its capability to degrade synthetic organic chemical pollutants that it has trapped with surface run-off water from hard surfaces.
Health
Temperature Moderation - Turfgrass reduces temp- erature heat extremes by natural transpirational cooling. The front lawns of just 8 average houses have the cooling effect of about 70 tons of air conditioning. The average home-size central air unit has a 3 to 4 ton capacity.
Pollutant Filter For Water Quality - Turfgrass absorbs gaseous pollutants (carbon dioxide and ozone) from the air and traps particulate matter (dust and dirt with organic chemicals) from the atmosphere.
Oxygen Releaser - The process of photosynthesis in green plants releases oxygen into the atmosphere. About 2500 square feet of lawn will release sufficient oxygen to meet the needs of a family of 4.
Pollen Allergy Control - Mowed turfgrass helps control weeds and flowering of grasses that produce pollen which cause unpleasant allergic reactions.
Noise Abatement - Glare Reduction - Turfgrass has the ability to absorb sound and reduce undesirable noise levels by 30 to 40 percent. It also produces multi-direction reflection that reduces unpleasant glare problems.
Recreational Activities - Dense, well-maintained turfgrass reduces sports injuries significantly and provides a resilient playing surface for years of healthy outdoor recreation.
Natural Beauty and Aesthetic Benefits - Turfgrass contributes to mental health, social harmony, a pleasant visual environment, and increased real estate value.
Security Zone - Fire Break - The open, mowed, green lawn provides a visual security zone to discourage unwanted intruders and also serves as a protective break against wild-fires.