Researchers discover unexpected benefit of new trend in lawn care: 'Can be a hotspot'
Researchers have made a surprising discovery about maintaining traditional lawns, showing that the less they're messed with, the better the food chain can become.
Phys.org reported on a new study from Cornell AgriTech that was published in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening showed less intense management of lawns, like mowing and adding pesticides and fertilizers, has resulted in a greater diversity of organisms in the soil, meaning a stronger food web and overall soil health.
Cornell AgriTech tested the campus lawn in high-, medium-, and low-maintenance categories over the course of two years, measuring a variety of factors.
Hayden Bock, a postdoctoral scholar, noted they found 87 different types of soil organisms, adding: "It's hard to find 87 species of animals, or even insects, above ground in such a small area, but below ground, there's a wealth of biodiversity that people may not be aware of. Turfgrasses can be a hotspot for biodiversity, even in highly urbanized landscapes."
Traditional monoculture lawns can be an option to provide green space and environmental benefits, but they don't necessarily make up for the benefits provided by native plants and yards. As ScienceDirect noted with the study, they "did not observe changes to soil microbial biomass or carbon or nitrogen decomposition, all aspects of soil ecosystem functioning which are mediated by soil fauna." They also mentioned that "turf aesthetic assessments" decreased with lower maintenance.
Native plants provide a low maintenance and, more often than not, aesthetically pleasing way to manage your lawn. They provide better water and soil retention as well as storing excess carbon, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects. Pollinators also thrive with native plants, as they provide food and shelter for bees, birds, and bats, and help spread pollen to plants, ensuring their growth cycles.
The lower maintenance requirements are also a money saver, lowering water bills and fuel costs for lawnmowers. Some natural lawn options, like clover lawns, only need to be mowed twice a year.
If you want to upgrade to a natural lawn, check out this guide here.
If you were to switch from a grass lawn to a more natural option, which of these factors would be your primary motivation?
Making it look better
Saving money on water and maintenance
Helping pollinators
No way I ever get rid of my lawn
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Researchers make critical breakthrough after using powerful satellite to track dangerous pollution: 'Large-scale missions'
Research published this March in the journal Environmental Research Letters has demonstrated an impressive new way to zero in on heavy polluters and monitor evolving pollution problems, according to a release via Researchers at the Max Planck Institute and Heidelberg University have established a method for using a German satellite, the Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program, or EnMAP, to determine the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) present in the same area "with an unprecedented spatial resolution." These common air pollutants are generally released from the same source, so measuring one or the other independently has been challenging to date. This team leveraged the new technique to assess emissions from power plants. The technology used for such measurements has typically "only [achieved] a spatial resolution of 3 to 5 kilometers" (about 1.9 to 3.1 miles), according to the release. But the EnMAP can achieve an "exceptionally high level of spatial detail" of a 30-meter (98-foot) square, producing more precise and usable data. NO2 isn't technically a greenhouse gas like CO2, methane (CH4), or nitrous oxide (N2O), though it is harmful when in the home. Meanwhile, because NO2 is so often emitted alongside CO2, it is often used to measure CO2 based on an assumed ratio. With independent measuring made possible with the EnMAP, readings can now provide more accurate and insightful information. The EnMAP has been in the sky for three years as of April and has been key to numerous climate-related studies. The paper's co-authors are hopeful about the future applications of the method they have developed using the satellite. "Our study shows how satellites with high spatial resolution can contribute to the targeted monitoring of industrial emissions in the future—in addition to large-scale missions such as the European CO2M satellite," said research leader Thomas Wagner in a statement. With accurate data being key to catching polluters as well as tracking potential improvements, there's the possibility for innovative measurement techniques to play a role in not only penalties for offenders but also in setting more pro-environment policies down the line. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Researchers make incredible discovery about chickens that could help keep grocery prices down: 'We need to differentiate'
Researchers at Cornell University found that feeding chickens grape waste made them less susceptible to diseases. According to the gut health of chickens can open them up to disease. The poultry industry relies on the mass production of chickens, but when chickens get sick and there are fewer chickens, the prices increase in stores. Corresponding author and department of food science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, associate professor Elad Tako, said, "Inflammation weakens the immune system and opens the birds to other pathogens such as avian flu." Grape pomace is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, so the researchers set out to see just how true that was. Their findings were published in the Journal of Functional Foods. They injected the grape pomace into "amniotic fluid in chicken eggs to induce inflammation, and then a second one of a grape pomace extract to intervene," per Co-author and doctoral food science student, Melissa Huang, said the grape pomace did improve gut inflammation symptoms and intestinal health. In the U.S., the grape industry produces one million pounds of grape pomace waste yearly. What's left over from wine and juice production is stalks, seeds, and grape skins. While some of this is put into animal feeds or made into a fertilizer, much of it ends up in a landfill. According to "nearly three-quarters of production costs are bound up in what the birds eat." So, finding a way to utilize leftover grape pomace is not only a low-cost way for the birds' health, but also stops it from going into a landfill. When birds get sick, it doesn't just cause prices to go up on eggs. WGCU said it's also a threat to biodiversity. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. It said bird flu has been growing fast recently and "has infected more than 500 species, including 485 avian and at least 70 mammalian." Some animals that have contracted it are dolphins, seals, foxes, and skunks. Many end up dead or have neurological symptoms. While this is a significant win for keeping animals healthy, Huang said further investigation is needed to optimize the anti-inflammatory effects of grape pomace. She said, "Studies show that fiber and polyphenols, on their own, can affect inflammation. We need to differentiate which specific compounds in grape pomace are making this difference." Reducing reliance on poultry is another way to reduce the risk of the threat to biodiversity. You can do that by exploring plant-based food options. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Scientists reveal futuristic farming technique that may solve two global problems at once: 'Can revolutionize food production'
A team of scientists in Singapore has uncovered powerful new evidence that vertical farming — growing food in stacked and often indoor, controlled environments — could radically change how we feed the planet while also helping restore it. The study, led by Dr. Vanesa Calvo-Baltanás and published in the journal PNAS Nexus, examined how six food groups — crops, algae, mushrooms, insects, fish, and cultivated meat — performed in the controlled environmental agriculture of a 10-layer vertical farming system. The results were summarized in a report from the Technical University of Munich, shared by The foods not only dramatically outperformed traditional crop yields, but they also came with significantly lower environmental costs. For example, mushrooms and insects grown in vertical farms could produce up to 6,000 times more protein per acre than traditional farming. They also processed agricultural waste into edible, nutritious food, required very little light, and helped close resource loops that typically lead to pollution or emissions, which have damaging long-term effects on human health. With the climate crisis escalating and the world population projected to be near 10 billion by 2050, according to the United Nations, sustainable food systems are no longer optional. A study published in the journal Nature Food predicted a possible increase in food demand of around 60% by mid-century. Current agricultural methods are vulnerable to rising temperatures, extreme weather, and land degradation, and they consume massive amounts of water, land, and dirty fuels. Vertical farming provides a way to cut down on land use, eliminate pesticides, and produce food locally year-round, even in dense cities. In vertical farming, "food can be grown close to consumers, independent of the weather and using space efficiently," Calvo-Baltanás said in the university report, per In just one acre of vertical space, a greenhouse can yield what would typically require 40 acres of farmland, according to Eden Green Technology. And because it can reduce the need for long-haul shipping of food, it can cut down on transportation pollution and food waste. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The technology isn't without hurdles. High energy demands and social acceptance remain key barriers to scaling up. But the study's authors say policy incentives, public support, and innovations in clean energy could unlock the full potential of this system. "Controlled environment agriculture can revolutionize food production," said Dr. Calvo-Baltanás. "However, technological advances, interdisciplinary research to tackle energy issues, policy incentives, and public engagement are needed to realize its full potential." As part of the Proteins4Singapore project, the researchers hope to help meet 30% of Singapore's nutritional needs locally by 2030 — a model other cities could soon follow if successful. Some innovators are already proving how vertical farms can thrive in urban settings. And, as the research shows, vertical farming may not just feed the future, but also help heal the planet along the way. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
