Greener Grass, Less Water

Reported April 2006

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- Many Americans spend a fortune trying to maintain a healthy lawn. But one scientist at NASA-Ames Research Center says it's more important to help conserve the water supply than to keep grass green year round.

Growing up in Italy, Cristina Milesi never enjoyed a green lawn since yard space there is a luxury. So, when the NASA scientist moved to Montana, she was shocked by what people do for a luscious lawn.

Cristina Milesi, Ph.D., a NASA research scientist at CSU Monterey Bay & NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., says, "I would see all the sprinklers starting every evening punctually and watering half of the driveway, half of the walkway, and then a little bit on this lawn."

Lawns are the single-largest irrigated crop in the United States, three-times more than corn. Remote sensing scientist Milesi cringed at the waste of such a precious resource. So, she used census data, satellite images, and aerial photographs to estimate how much turf grass was in the 48 contiguous states. Then, she applied a computer simulation that revealed the environmental impact based on care of the grass.

"We really undervalue water as a resource," Milesi says. What she found was surprising. While lush lawns take in lots of water, they also take in carbon dioxide. Experts, however, say this is not enough of a benefit to keep a beautiful lawn. Conservation is now mandatory in some cities, and homeowners are even paid to switch to native plants and grasses.

Other ways to save water is to program sprinklers for three to four minutes at sunrise and sunset, don't water during the heat of day or in windy conditions, and soak the ground no more than four-inches deep.

Milesi says these types of attitude changes are necessary before dwindling water supplies dictate even more severe restrictions.

A major factor impacting lawns is that people are moving more often and tend to recreate their lawns no matter where they go ... So if you're from Florida, you want to recreate that green space in Arizona -- using more and more water to achieve the perfect lawn.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

Dr. Cristine Milesi
Department of Forestry
University of Montana
Missoula, MO
(650) 604-6431
milesi@ntsg.umt.edu

For more information about geophysics:

American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue
N.W.Washington, DC 20009-1277
(800) 966-2481
http://www.agu.org/

Space-age robots are invading our precious environment ... But don't worry, it's all for a good cause

Are you sitting, standing or running? Intelligent clothing -- the latest trend to come down the runway, wired to know your every move

3 million Americans with emphysema may soon be breathing better thanks to a new tiny valve

Save our water resources and still have a great looking lawn! We'll tell you how

Broken bones don't have to keep athletes out of the game with this new, high-tech brace

Seismologists have a fast new way to estimate where a quake makes its biggest impact

Stroke hits the brain hard -- many times causing paralysis, speech problems, or even death. This new stent stops stroke in its tracks and may save lives

70 years ago, Einstein predicted how his theory of relativity could be demonstrated in space. Now astronomers have confirmed his prediction

Run, jump and roll without bumping into objects in the room ... It's a new "spin" on virtual reality

At least one person in the U.S. dies every day from a medication error. This technology could put an end to those errors

Car tires don't protect you from lightning, but something in the car does! What you don't know about lightning may surprise you

Some scents are strong, others soft. Ever wonder what goes into making your favorite perfume