Benefits of Sod

What Can Our Lawns Do for Us?

Mark Leonard

Most people take grass for granted, never stopping to consider the important role it plays in the world around us.

The use of turfgrass can help to reduce air pollution, purify our water supply and lower our energy consumption. Strategic use of lawn areas in parks and open space can often lower the heat island effect in urban areas and aid in reducing global warming trends.

So what can our lawns do for us?

Air Pollution

One of the best ways to reduce air pollution is have a well maintained lawn. Grass areas act as natural air filters to trap and remove dust and other particles from the air. Through the process of photosynthesis turfgrass absorbs carbon dioxide and releases clean oxygen in return.

Recent studies show lawns to be net sequesters of carbon, storing up to 4 times more carbon than is emitted by the lawn mowers used to maintain them. Lawns are an excellent producer of oxygen. A lawn area 50' x 50' produces enough oxygen for the daily needs of a family of four. An acre of grass will produce enough oxygen for 64 people a day. Reducing your carbon footprint begins right at home.

Temperature Reduction

The grassy areas of our community parks and open space may help reduce the greenhouse effect of urban areas.

Water Filtration

Take care of your lawn and it will help to make the world we live in a better place for years to come.

Data collected from The Lawn Institute, Maryland Agricultural Statistics Service, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Turfgrass Producers International.