Gardening experts are sounding the alarm for all enthusiasts across the UK, advising against the use of a popular garden feature. Artificial grass has gained significant popularity as a convenient alternative to real grass, offering a solution to weeding, mowing, and re-seeding. However, experts caution against replacing natural grass with its artificial counterpart, pointing out two major drawbacks. The University of Plymouth has flagged concerns about synthetic grass negatively impacting the soil and disrupting wildlife, particularly insects crucial for pollination. Studies reveal a drastic decline of up to 80 percent in insect populations in the UK over the last twenty years, posing a serious threat to the ecosystem. Insects depend on real grass and the array of wildflowers it supports for breeding and pollination, functions that artificial grass cannot fulfil. Additionally, artificial grass poses a flooding risk as it can dehydrate the soil beneath it, impeding rainwater absorption due to its plastic composition. This inability to retain water may lead to flash flooding during heavy rainfalls, with water unable to permeate the surface, as reported by the Express.
Mick Hanley, an expert in Plant-Animal Interactions from the University of Plymouth, underscored the environmental consequences of artificial lawns, highlighting that the plastic covering inhibits rainwater penetration, causing soil desiccation. Moreover, artificial lawns impede soil health by restricting air and water access to the vital organisms residing below, ultimately affecting soil fertility. Hanley stressed the significance of urban gardens in supporting biodiversity, noting their role in sustaining and enhancing diverse plant life crucial for pollinators. He addressed the impact of diverse flowering plants on declining pollinator populations attributed to agricultural practices and habitat loss, emphasising that the presence of varied flora encourages pollinating insects whose numbers are dwindling due to habitat destruction and intensive farming methods. Hanley also drew attention to the carbon capture role of soil, highlighting that removing extensive natural plant cover releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere, exacerbating greenhouse gas levels. Additionally, he cautioned about the surface runoff risk posed by artificial grass after heavy rainfall, potentially contributing to flooding. Apart from the environmental concerns surrounding the manufacturing and transportation of large quantities of plastic, artificial grass could release microplastics into the soil, further complicating the ecological impact.
The limitations of artificial grass stem from its inability to sustain living organisms, impede soil nourishment, and hinder natural processes essential for soil and ecosystem health. Conversely, natural lawns offer a myriad of benefits, acting as a carbon sink, enhancing air quality, and providing habitat for a range of insects, worms, and birds. Lawns contribute to water filtration, noise reduction, and stress alleviation, promoting well-being. Embracing a natural lawn not only fosters environmental sustainability but also fosters a harmonious coexistence with nature.