The North American Prairies were once the largest integral vegetative component of North America. Since the settling of the prairies the prairies have been reduced to about 1% of their former range. This 1% is highly fragmented by urbanization and agriculture. Twenty-Three percent of the urban area or about 16 million acres are dedicated to lawns. These lawns are recipients of millions of pounds of pesticides and fertilizers each year. Urban run-off of these chemicals are considered to be a major source of water contamination. Using natural prairie plantings in landscapes will increase biodiversity and reduce the use of the lawn chemicals.
LAWN PESTICIDE FACTS AND FIGURES
A Beyond Pesticides Factsheet
Facts and data about pesticides, which includes herbicides, used for lawn care.
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/lawn/factsheets/facts&figures.htm
Greener Grass, Less Water
Scientist Measures Land Used by Lawns
Article and links to more articles about the problem with lawns.
http://old.sciencedaily.com/videos/2006/0404-greener_grass_less_water.htm
Scientist Measures Land Used by Lawns
Article and links to more articles about the problem with lawns.
http://old.sciencedaily.com/videos/2006/0404-greener_grass_less_water.htm
Looking for Lawns
An article discussing the magnitude of lawns and their environmental effects.
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Lawn/lawn.php
An article discussing the magnitude of lawns and their environmental effects.
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Lawn/lawn.php