Potential Unintended Consequences Associated with Urban Fertilizer Bans in Florida—A Scientific Review

Abstract

<jats:p>Degraded inland and coastal water quality is a critical statewide concern in Florida and other states. Nutrients released from land-based human activities are present in water bodies resulting in algal blooms and increased eutrophication that impairs water bodies for their intended uses. There are differing approaches to addressing eutrophication, including voluntary adoption of current best management practices (BMPs) for nutrients, state regulation, or local county or municipal ordinances. The local ordinance, some including a summer (or so-called “wet season”) fertilizer ban or “blackout,” has been the chosen approach in some Florida counties and municipalities to address local water quality issues. Many components of these ordinances follow published BMPs, and there is agreement in the literature on the effectiveness of these practices for preventing nutrient losses from the landscape. However, there has been disagreement among stakeholders regarding the inclusion of a total fertilizer ban in a local ordinance. Regulators are asking about the best approach to controlling urban pollution and if banning fertilizer in the growing season would achieve the desired environmental protection and whether there are any potential unintended consequences associated with removing fertilizer from turfgrass growing in the summer months. The scientific literature documents the nature and scope of the water pollution problem, and numerous research reports have addressed fertilizer BMPs to prevent nutrient losses from the landscape. This article discusses the increased rate of eutrophication and reviews the pertinent national literature regarding managing urban landscape fertilization to protect water quality. Particular attention is given to fertilization practices during the active landscape plant (especially turfgrass) growth period that corresponds to the summer fertilizer bans in some Florida local ordinances. Therefore, special attention is paid to the question of what information is in the scientific literature and whether a fertilizer ban is the best way of achieving the goal of improving urban water quality. Research summarized in this review points to potential unintended consequences of increased nutrient losses from urban landscapes, particularly turfgrass, when proper, recommended fertilization and irrigation practices are not followed.</jats:p>

Annual Nitrogen Requirement of Bahiagrass Lawns Maintained in Subtropical Climates

“…However, the recommended N range is largely based on observational data or results published on other warm‐season turfgrasses. Thus, N applications to turfgrasses in Florida have been scrutinized and, in some cases, have been severely restricted without consideration given to potential unintended consequences (Hochmuth et al, 2012).…”

“…severely restricted without consideration given to potential unintended consequences (Hochmuth et al, 2012).…”

Sustainable Urban Landscaping: Consumer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Turfgrass Fertilizers

“…While turfgrass lawns require a variety of lawn care practices, recently fertilizer use has received more attention due to potential excessive applications of micro-and macronutrients by do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowners (Robbins and Birkenholtz 2003;Robbins and Sharp 2003;Cook et al 2012;Carrico et al 2013;Martini et al 2015). For instance, disproportionate applications of nutrients lead to eutrophication due to high concentrations of nitrogen or phosphorus in water bodies (Roach et al 2008;Hochmuth et al 2012). However, excessive fertilization has resulted in these nutrients running into adjoining watersheds which reduces water quality and damages aquatic ecosystems (Carpenter et al 1998;Robbins et al 2001;Bierman et al 2010).…”

“…However, excessive fertilization has resulted in these nutrients running into adjoining watersheds which reduces water quality and damages aquatic ecosystems (Carpenter et al 1998;Robbins et al 2001;Bierman et al 2010). For instance, disproportionate applications of nutrients lead to eutrophication due to high concentrations of nitrogen or phosphorus in water bodies (Roach et al 2008;Hochmuth et al 2012). Eutrophication is a serious problem causing excessive growth of harmful algal blooms, depletion of oxygen levels, and damage to underwater plants and organisms.…”

“…However, despite well-intended and organized guidelines and rules, ordinances always have a possibility of leading to unintended consequences which are not anticipated in the decision-making procedure(Carver and Scheier 2001; Hochmuth et al 2009Hochmuth et al , 2012Castledine et al 2014). However, despite well-intended and organized guidelines and rules, ordinances always have a possibility of leading to unintended consequences which are not anticipated in the decision-making procedure(Carver and Scheier 2001; Hochmuth et al 2009Hochmuth et al , 2012Castledine et al 2014).…”