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WHY THERE SHOULD BE MORE TURFGRASS
Facts from The Lawn Institute (www.thelawninstitute.org)
Grass can decrease surface temperatures. ● Grass is 45% carbon by weight and as it grows it takes in carbon dioxide and traps carbon in blades and roots while releasing oxygen.
● The respiration of turfgrass decreases surface temperatures. On hot days hard surfaces such as artificial turf may be more than 30 degrees warmer than turfgrass covered areas.
● Having turfgrass around buildings decreases the air temperature which results in less cooling requirements for the building, decreased electrical bills and reduced use of fossil fuels.
Grass traps water and sediment before it can reach storm sewers or surface water. ● All man-made erosion control materials compare themselves to turfgrass sod with none so far performing as well. Runoff from a sodded area will take 28 to 46 times longer when compared to the five most popular man-made erosion control materials.
● Sediment losses from sodded areas will be 8 to 15 times less than for tested man-made erosion control materials and 10 times less than for a straw covered area.
● A dense lawn is 6 times more effective than a wheat field and 4 times better than a hayfield at absorbing rainfall.
Grass decomposes organic pollutants. ● Hydrocarbons and organic waste are broken down by turfgrass and the organisms that live in a turfgrass based ecosystem.
Grass increases our enjoyment of the outdoors. ● Grass can absorb sound potentially reducing noise pollution up to 30%.
● Light is readily absorbed by turfgrass leading to less glare and higher visibility.
Most professional football players would rather play on natural grass. ● According to a 2006 NFL Players Association Survey:
● 72.7% of players surveyed would rather play on natural grass.
● 67.1% of players surveyed thought that playing on artificial turf would shorten their career.
● The most repeated comment on the survey: “Make all fields natural grass to reduce injuries.”
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