Turf Nutrient Leaching and Best Management Practices in Florida

Trenholm, Laurie E.; Sartain, J. B.

doi:10.21273/horttech.20.1.107

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The SPFM results from Desormeaux et al (2019) suggest that turf systems are highly efficient at attenuating N inputs from urban fertilizer, which is in line with previous research reporting N attenuation of 80-100% across both fertilized (Trenholm & Sartain, 2010) and unfertilized (Herrmann & Cadenasso, 2017) turf systems. Our estimates of N attenuation in crop and pasture systems are close to the global average N use efficiency of 47% (Lassaletta et al, 2014) and agree with estimates for Florida production systems (Prasad & Hochmuth, 2016).…”

Section: Journal Of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciencessupporting

confidence: 90%

Disaggregating Landscape‐Scale Nitrogen Attenuation Along Hydrological Flow Paths

et al. 2020

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Evaluating how nitrogen (N) sources are attenuated throughout the landscape is critical to further our understanding of catchment‐scale N budgets. We developed a catchment‐scale N budget for a mixed land use karst springshed using in situ measurements (nitrate leaching fluxes and attenuation) and long‐term records (surface N inputs and spring exports) to estimate 20‐year average landscape‐scale N loading, attenuation, and export. We introduce a conceptual model framework to compute N export that can be applied consistently for point or nonpoint sources. The model is based on the product of only four components for each N source: population density or proportion of land cover, P; specific load, L; anthropogenic attenuation, A; and natural attenuation, N. The product of these components is computed for each N source and then integrated at the basin scale. The concise PLAN model framework predicted attenuation of 90% ± 3% of N inputs, in close agreement with the estimate based on measured spring mass discharge (87% ± 3%). Further, when this attenuation is disaggregated along the hydrological flow path, we estimate that 64% of inputs are lost in the surface soil, 20% in the vadose zone, and 6% in the aquifer. Livestock and human wastes were estimated to be the dominant contributors to spring N export, which was independently supported by isotopic data. The PLAN model is a simple, transferable framework that supports systematically computing N export based on proportioning of load and attenuation. Identifying the main sources of N ultimately contributing to discharged N loads is a critical step toward source‐related water‐quality management.

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Section: Journal Of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciencessupporting

confidence: 90%

Disaggregating Landscape‐Scale Nitrogen Attenuation Along Hydrological Flow Paths

et al. 2020

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“…Research summarized above shows that turfgrass can play a positive role in absorbing nutrients, especially during active growth. Trenholm and Sartain (2010) pointed out that factors leading to increased leaching losses of N included application of fertilizer at higher than recommended rates, application too near a rainfall event or irrigation, and fertilization when the turfgrass is not growing actively. Use of poor management practices such as overfertilization or excessive irrigation can lead to nutrient losses.…”

Section: Summarizing the Research On The Environmental Impacts Of Fermentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Hochmuth

Nell

Unruh

et al. 2012

hortte

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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.

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“…High-maintenance turfgrass covers >31 million acres of land in the United States, and golf courses represent a significant portion of this total area (Milesi et al, 2005). Heavy reliance on synthetic inputs in these systems has caused them to be implicated as a significant nonpoint source of environmental pollution (e.g., Trenholm and Sartain, 2010). Certain management practices associated with these systems may cause declines in populations of beneficial organisms (McDonald, 1999;Crutchfield et al, 1995).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Saproxylic Beetle Biodiversity in Golf Course Habitats

Powell¹,

Shukle

Richmond³

et al. 2016

Crop Forage & Turfgrass Mgmt

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Saproxylic beetles are a diverse group of insects that use deadwood as food or habitat at some stage of their life. While a few species of saproxylic beetles are considered to be pests, the majority of species perform important ecological roles such as decomposition, nutrient recycling, pollination in the mobile adult form, or act as food sources for other organisms. Their diversity and variable responses make them good biological indicators. Promoting biodiversity in managed areas, such as golf courses, may be relatively easy by creating saproxylic habitat. We examined the influence on saproxylic beetle communities of habitat type, log type, and distance from a fairway. Sentinel logs were provided for colonization for one season, and emergence was monitored over the following 2 years. We found that beetle species richness increased with log volume but did not change with distance from the fairway playing surface. Our findings suggest that although species richness may be low compared with that in less fragmented habitats, a diverse assortment of saproxylic beetles can be supported in golf course wooded habitats. This may be accomplished by leaving fallen trees in place when they do not pose a hazard or interfere with play. In particular, the provision of large woody debris that is more difficult to remove may maximize the benefit to superintendents and the saproxylic beetle community. Findings also support the idea that golf courses containing woody patches may increase habitat connectivity for these insects, and possibly other organisms, in otherwise highly fragmented urban areas.

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Turf Nutrient Leaching and Best Management Practices in Florida

Cited by 4 publications

References 16 publications

Disaggregating Landscape‐Scale Nitrogen Attenuation Along Hydrological Flow Paths

Disaggregating Landscape‐Scale Nitrogen Attenuation Along Hydrological Flow Paths

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

Saproxylic Beetle Biodiversity in Golf Course Habitats

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