Florida Realtors® has highlighted the multifaceted benefits of grass lawns, citing their positive impacts on people, pets, and the environment. According to The TurfMutt Foundation, which promotes the care and use of green spaces such as yards and parks, grass lawns offer several significant advantages.
One major benefit is carbon capture. Research indicates that an average-sized home lawn in the U.S. can capture and hold between 20.3 to 163.4 kilograms of carbon annually. The dense canopy and fibrous root system in a lawn are highly effective at capturing and storing carbon, offsetting the carbon used for maintaining the grass.
Lawns also contribute to temperature regulation. They can be up to 30 degrees cooler than asphalt and 14 degrees cooler than bare soil. Additionally, eight average-sized front lawns can provide cooling equivalent to air conditioning for 18 homes.
Grass is also a notable oxygen producer. According to The Lawn Institute, a 5,000-square-foot grass lawn can produce enough oxygen each day to support between 14 to 34 people, depending on location.
Another environmental benefit is rainwater capture. Unlike hard surfaces that cause rainwater runoff and subsequent pollution of water systems, grass acts like a sponge by slowing down and absorbing runoff. This process cleanses water of impurities and dust while recharging groundwater aquifers.
Furthermore, grass serves as a natural firebreak amid increasing wildfire risks due to ongoing droughts across the country. The American Society of Landscape Architects notes that living grass slows wildfire spread because of its low fuel value and provides defendable space around structures.
Homeowners are encouraged to select appropriate grass species suited for their specific microclimate. The TurfMutt Foundation advises proper care practices such as mowing at correct heights for different species, watering wisely to promote strong root systems, and leaving clippings on the lawn to enhance its ability to capture more carbon.
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