ENS 301.02

The American Monoculture: Public Perception of Alternative Lawns

Introduction:

The American Dream: a single family home adorned with both a front and back yard of luscious green grass all protected by a white picket fence. The "suburban oasis" that would come to grip popular culture and transform the humble grass lawn into what is now America's largest irrigated crop! The yard now a mere symbol for affluence and a method for maintaining social approval sits as an empty monoculture that aids in the decreasing lack of biodiversity and continual use of non renewable resources. There are luckily alternative options for grass front lawns, but is the homeowner aware of those options and are they willing to transition?

What is grass and what types are suitable in West Michigan?

Grasses belong to the Poccea family, which are monocotyledonous flowering plants that range from what you see in the Great Plains to what is cultivated for front lawn usage. There are around 12,000 different species (Smithsonian) and the main purpose of the perennial grasses found in lawns is their ability to filter and capture water.

Within Michigan, cool season grasses grow most actively. Those of which are composed of: Annual and Perennial Ryegrass, Bent grass, Fine Rescue, and Kentucky Bluegrass (the most common in the Northern Zone).

What is a monoculture and how does grass act as one?

Monoculture: the cultivation or growth of one singular crop or organism

Within most cases, both front and back lawns are devoid of other plant species, ultimately lacking plant diversity that results in the diminished capacity that is able to support local flora and fauna like pollinators and insects which contributes to habitat loss. While grass plays an ecological role, it is a small one at that.

The lawn requires constant tending and resources, such as:

Chemical Fertilizers

The use of chemical fertilizers leads to soil degredation, nitrogen leaching, reduction in organic matter, and loss of soil carbon (NIH)

Fossil Fuels (gasoline)

800 million gallons of gasoline is used per year nationwide in lawnmowers (EPA)

Fresh Water

Landscape irrigation is estimated to account for 9 billion gallons of fresh water per day, nationwide (EPA)

Research Questions and Objectives

With the understanding that grass front lawns act as biological deserts with a purely aesthetic purpose and that the presented (below) alternative options are available, how likely are homeowners willing to transform their yards into a grass alternative option and are they aware of the alternatives? Continued research into this topic is important, especially from a sociological and homeowner perspective, in order to understand if people are not only aware of the ecological and monetary benefits to front lawn alternatives but if they would also be willing to invest both time and money to transform their lawns if able.This would aid in the progress towards possibly providing education and resources for homeowners who are looking to create ecologically beneficial yards whilst narrowing the gap between habitat deserts.

Grass Lawn Alternative Options

Creeping Jenny

Creeping Herbs (such as thyme and oregano)

Buffalo Grass

Clover

Coriscan Mint

Evergreen Moss

Perennial Bed

Japanese Sweet Flag

Effects

Alternative Option Benefits and Habitat Decline

Transforming ones yard to an alternative option not only opens differing ecological doors but reduces the need for constant care and resources, ultimately saving both money and time in the long run. For instance ground covers (such as creeping jenny or clover) often require low levels of moisture: reducing watering use, do not require fertilizers,ultimately attracting insects and bees, and can even prevent erosion (ecohome). Previous research on urban biotypes noted that "lawns are strikingly similar in terms of plant species composition and are important contributors to the homogenisation of urban landscapes and loss of urban biodiversity"(Ignatevia). With an increasing lack of places for local insects and pollinators to thrive and travel through, there is a rapid decline of both populations as grass monocultures do not support them as a habitat.

Instead, replacing grass with locally suited ground covers or perennial beds full of native plants, increases local biodiversity and habitat space whilst decreasing the use of environmentally hazardous materials, fresh water, and human energy. If the common suburban lawn is sitting as a singular grass landscape, it is nothing but a continued symbol of the declining environmental state, rather than the "dream".

Reasons for switching to alternative based lawns:

Drought prone regions can avoid frequent irrigation and excessive use of fresh water
Native plants provide a space for pollinators and reduce habitat deserts
There is less required maintenance as little care is often needed due to their tolerable conditions
The use of chemical fertilizers would be decreased, reducing chemical use, enticing pollinators and insects, and reducing the amount of runoff in groundwater
The complete reduction of a gas powered lawn mower: removing the physical need for a mower, the use of fossil fuels, and the energy required to mow
Increased leisure time due to lower maintenance and the ability to witness a more ecologically diverse yard

Methods

The study would consist of collecting participants information regarding their current awareness and understanding of alternative grass options as well as their likeliness to transform their lawn if provided the proper resources. This would be done through the use of a survey, where a random sampling would take place within a specific suburban neighborhood of choice, featuring both qualitative and quantitative based questions. The survey would be created along with a QR code and then printed on sheets of paper and placed within the desired communities mailboxes, then allowing those who live there to chose whether or not they participate.

An example of a question being: Are you aware that there are alternative options to grass based front lawns?

Along with: On a scale of 1-5, how likely are you to transition your lawn to an alternative option if provided the proper education and resources?

The collected data would then be used to analyze both the designated areas awareness in regards to present day options, along with if people within that community are willing to transition and if providing education materials and aid would be beneficial within that neighborhood.

Justification

Public perception and awareness is at the forefront of environmental issues and it is especially important when it primarily pertains to the very land that resides in the hands of the general population. The point of conducting the survey is to gain knowledge on if individuals are currently aware of the ecological and resource use disadvantages when it comes to grass lawns and if specific communities are interested in pursuing alternate options. If there is a greater understanding of the current awareness in regards to alternative grass lawns, then education and resources within communities can then be implemented for those desiring to learn more or make a transition themselves. Education is at the root of change, and conducting surveys on specific communities can guide implementation and provide a base of what is currently known, and what needs to be taught/demonstrated.