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The value of the North American lawn |
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Page 8 of 11
Lawns reduce glare
The reflection from the paved surfaces can cause uncomfortable levels of glare on a bright sunny day. Buildings, concrete pavements, and glass reflect more light than turfgrass. The surface characteristics of turfgrass reduce multidirectional light reflection that reduces glare. While turfgrass is usually effective at reducing secondary glare, trees and shrubs are effective at reducing primary glare directly from the source (Robinette, 1972). However, studies on the effectiveness of integrated landscapes of lawns, shrubs, and trees on the management of uncomfortable levels of glare are not yet available.
Improving human health and public safety
Lawns improve physical and mental health
Physical exercise and mental diversion from work place stress are the two most often cited reasons for people's engagement in lawn care activities. Mowing grass with a push-type, reel lawn mower and routine gardening tasks such as shoveling, weeding, and rototilling can measure up to the exertion rates of jogging, bicycling or aerobics. Studies have shown that one hour of weeding can burn up to 300 calories - the same as walking or bicycling at a moderate pace. Engaging in care and grooming of lawns and landscapes also releases tension and frustration of every day life.
In fact, the idea of well-mowed and tidy lawn is now well entrenched in our psychology and have profound effect on mental and physical health of the urban population. A study conducted in Peoria, Illinois on a random sample of people from suburban communities designed to measure the effects of untended lawns on their homeowners revealed that homeowners that were not allowed to maintain their lawns experienced many symptoms of psychological abnormality, including depression, suicidal tendencies, child abuse and other forms of violence, anorexia, bulimia, societal withdrawal, and poor sexual function, as well as such physical symptoms as increased ulcer formation and blood pressure, and more susceptibility to cancer (Smeldgas, 1999).
Well-managed lawns and landscapes improve mental health through therapeutic impact. According to the E. O. Wilson's "biophilia" hypothesis, humans are innately attracted to other living organisms, thus bond with nature (Wilson, 1984). Thus contact with nature and well-managed lawns and landscapes have healing effect. Restorative gardens offer an environment for people who are sick, injured, and under stress to recover and regain vigor and confidence. Such landscapes are currently used by long-term care facilities in treatment of Alzheimer and AIDS patients in Ireland and England (Ousset et al., 1998; Milligan et al., 2004). A study has shown that hospital patients whose rooms overlooked vegetation recovered faster and required less pain medication than did patients without a view of nature (Ulrich, 1984; 1986). In fact, horticulture is considered therapeutic.
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