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Urban Water Quality and Fertilizer Ordinances:Avoiding Unintended Consequences:A Review.... 6 •What role does irrigation management play management,can be nutrient sinks rather than in the leaching and runoff of nutrients? sources.These authors found high retention of atmospheric N in the soil organic matter pools of •What role does reclaimed water play in urban lawns. nutrient runoff and leaching before,during, and after the summer growth period? Beard and Green(1994)have described the Issue 01.What role does healthy turfgrassfunctional and nonfunctional benefits of properly play In the urban environment?Will maintained lawns and landscapes to be: unhealthy turfgrass lead to increased •excellent soil erosion control and dust nutrient losses and when? stabilization, Published books(Beard and Green, 1994;Beard •improved recharge and quality protection and Kenna,2008;Nett et al.,2008)have summarized of groundwater, the research literature on turfgrass systems and their care with attention to environmental impacts. •enhanced entrapment and biodegradation Turfgrass benefits(Beard and Green, 1994)can be of synthetic and organic compounds, grouped into functional(e.g.,preventing erosion, • preventing weeds),recreational(sports fields),and conversion,soil quality improvement that includes CO2 aesthetic(beauty and value-added homes and properties).Healthy turfgrass systems absorb the •accelerated restoration of disturbed soils, majority of nutrients when applied at recommended rates,thus minimizing leaching and runoff from •substantial heat reduction, landscape surfaces(Brown et al., 1977;Easton and Petrovic,2004;Frank 2008;Hull and Liu,2005; •reduced noise,glare,and visual pollution Shuman,2001).Eighty to 90%of N was assimilated problems, in the transition fall and spring months for Bermuda •decreased noxious weed pests and turfgrass in North Carolina(Wherley et al.,2009). allergy-related pollens, The following description of healthy turfgrass that meets its many roles in the landscape is summarized •safety in vehicle operation on roadsides from these citations above.Healthy turfgrass means and engine longevity on airfields, turfgrass that maintains a complete and dense cover over the soil to reduce erosion and weed growth. •lowered fire hazard via open, Healthy turfgrass has an expansive root system that green-grassed firebreaks, fills the soil and absorbs nutrients and water.Healthy . improved security of sensitive installations turfgrass is reflected in the medium-green color that provided by high-visibility zones. is desired for aesthetic purposes and to add value to the home and community.Healthy turfgrass consists •low-cost surface for outdoor sport and of strong plants that stand up to the wear and tear of leisure activities, athletic use. •enhanced physical health for participants, Scientific data shows that healthy turfgrass has a and a low-cost cushion against personal positive impact on the environment by reducing injuries. leaching and runoff.Petrovic and Easton(2005), reviewed the literature on the relationship of healthy •enhanced beauty and attractiveness; turfgrass and urban water quality.Numerous, •a complementary relationship to the total research studies show that turfgrass has a lower impact on groundwater N levels than other land uses. landscape ecosystem of flowers,shrubs and Raciti et al.(2008)outlined N flows in an urban trees; environment where lawns,under low to moderate j3- ) 3