LAWNSCIENCE
Turf wars WHY GRASS IS A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC
BY DR. SARA STRICKER WELCOME TO LAWN SCIENCE , a new column dedicated to digging to the root of the issues when it comes to grass, lawns and turf management. With so much debate surrounding the role of turf in our environment, it's time to take a science-based approach to understanding the benefits, challenges and misconceptions about grass. This column is written from the perspective of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI) at the University of Guelph, where we are committed to advancing turf research and sustainable landscape practices. I am a self-proclaimed environmentalist and have earned a Bachelor of Plant Science, a master’s degree in Environmental Science and a PhD in Plant Agriculture. With this background, I sympathize with both sides of the debate when it comes to grass. While grass has been criticized for its water use, chemical inputs and biodiversity impact, it also plays essential roles in carbon sequestration, erosion control and urban cooling. My goal is to address common myths and misunderstandings when it comes to grass and to help readers make informed decisions about how they manage and interact with green spaces in their own communities. There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to making decisions about our local ecosystems, and we need to find a balance between social and environmental services provided by grass. Why all the fuss? Few landscape features are as ubiquitous — or as polarizing — as grass. Whether it's a lush green lawn in a suburban neighbourhood, a sprawling golf course or a carefully managed sports field, turfgrass is everywhere. Yet, despite its aesthetic and functional benefits, grass has found itself at the centre of environmental debates. While
Finding balance While concerns about water use, chemical applications and biodiversity loss are valid, turfgrass also offers environmental, social and economic benefits. I often nod my head and smile when someone starts a rant against golf courses, but they haven’t considered the environmental impacts of maintaining a giant walk-in fridge year- round to play hockey. Rather than framing the debate as an all-or-nothing issue, a more nuanced approach recognizes that grass is a functional surface, and the turf industry is always pushing to improve sustainability and reduce inputs. In upcoming issues of this column, we will delve into topics such as biodiversity, chemical inputs, soil health and the socio- economic impacts of grass. This column aims to translate broad scientific concepts into a clear, practical format, giving professional landscapers research-backed insights they can apply directly in the field and with their customers. Whether in backyards, public parks or sports fields, the challenge is to choose the right surface for the right purpose and to maintain it in ways that finds a balance between human needs and ecological health. In this way, the debate over grass serves as a broader reflection of our ongoing efforts to harmonize human development with environmental responsibility. LT
some hail it as a vital component of green infrastructure, others see it as an ecological burden. Why is something as simple as grass so controversial? The answer lies in water use, chemical inputs, biodiversity and shifting cultural attitudes toward landscapes. Historically, well-manicured lawns symbolized wealth, showcasing that you had enough resources not to rely on every inch of land for food production. They also emphasized the expansive grounds surrounding castles and estates. However, those sprawling lawns around castles and estates weren’t just about showing off wealth — they also served practical functions. For example, those large open spaces created a clear line of sight, making it easier to spot intruders approaching, which was a defensive advantage for security purposes — and remains a tenant of modern-day Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), too. Maintaining mowed grasses also helped deter disease-carrying pests like rats and mice while providing a safe space for inhabitants to walk the grounds without mingling with the public — an early form of social distancing before the term existed. Fast forward to today, and we see echoes of this in the way people use green spaces. Lawns, parks and even golf courses provide open areas that allow for movement, gatherings and separation when needed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was noted that outbreaks spread more rapidly and intensely in densely populated areas, while suburban and rural regions experienced slower transmission. This was largely due to greater spacing between buildings and the presence of private, fenced-in recreational spaces — better known as lawns. It’s funny to think that what was once a symbol of wealth also has these hidden public health and safety functions!
DR. SARA STRICKER is a plant pathologist and science communicator specializing in turfgrass health. She is passionate about knowledge transfer and education. Learn more about the GTI at GuelphTurfgrass.ca.
MAY 2025 | 39
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