Scientists are on a quest to engineer a drought proof lawn. The goal? Develop grass that demands little water, tolerates shade, is resistant to fungi and pests, grows at a relatively slow pace, produces ample seeds and passes down the same characteristics from generation to generation. Sound impossible, well not to UC Riverside turfgrass specialist Jim Baird.
Read more in this LA Times article.
Lawns do an excellent job of capturing water runoff and lessening dust and particulate matter pollution, versus alternatives such as hard surfaces, mulched areas and impervious or bare surfaces.
According to a Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) 2006 Publication, turfgrass not only decreases dust emissions, but for controlling soil erosion, a live, functioning grass cover, including urban lawns, is a cost-effective option, since a grass root system is one of the most effective in soil stabilization because of the fibrous, dense character of its roots.
