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Ecology of urban lawns: the impact of establishment and management on plant species composition, soil food webs, and ecosystem functioning

Cheng, Zhiqiang
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1187031808

Abstract Details

2007, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Environmental Science.
Turfgrass lawns are a central part of urban and suburban landscapes throughout North America. Although they provide numerous benefits, urban lawns have become chemical input intensive systems with routine application of fertilizers and pesticides. These inputs are expensive and are considered a source of environmental pollution and health risk. However, very little is known about the impacts of chemical inputs on turfgrass soil ecology and ecosystem functioning. Our four objectives in this study were to: 1) compare turfgrass establishment, nutrient pools, and nematode community in subsoil and topsoil, with or without compost amendment; 2) determine the effects of nitrogen fertilization on turfgrass soil nematode community and nutrient pools; 3) determine long-term effects of management practices on turfgrass soil nematode community and nutrient pools; and 4) assess the influence of three predominant home lawn management programs on turfgrass quality, weed and insect infestations, disease incidence, and soil food web structure and functions. We found topsoil had higher initial soil nutrients and biota and thus higher turfgrass germination than subsoil. However, higher weed infestation in topsoil plots due to weed seed bank suggested that weed control was important during the early stage of turfgrass establishment on topsoil. Also, compost amendment was an effective way to improve soil nutrient pools and biota, and its impact on soil ecosystem remained during the study period. Long-term organic-fertilizer management benefited soil ecosystem in general compared to mineral-fertilizer management. However, pesticide applications had no significant effect on soil microbial biomass and soil organic matter (SOM) over long term. Nitrogen application could impose long-term cumulative effect on turfgrass soil food web rather than short-term impact. Turfgrass soil nematode food web was highly enriched but poorly to moderately structured irrespective of the management practices used, representing a relatively disturbed soil food web compared to the natural grasslands and forest ecosystems, which usually possess poorly to moderately enriched but highly structured soil food webs. Also, homeowners relying on typical do-it-yourself programs are unable to achieve the desired levels of turf quality and weed control, and chemical input intensive management might negatively affect soil microbial biomass and SOM in urban lawns.
Parwinder Grewal (Advisor)
turfgrass management; soil ecosystem; nematode community

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Cheng, Z. (2007). Ecology of urban lawns: the impact of establishment and management on plant species composition, soil food webs, and ecosystem functioning [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1187031808

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Cheng, Zhiqiang. Ecology of urban lawns: the impact of establishment and management on plant species composition, soil food webs, and ecosystem functioning. 2007. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1187031808.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Cheng, Zhiqiang. "Ecology of urban lawns: the impact of establishment and management on plant species composition, soil food webs, and ecosystem functioning." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1187031808

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1187031808
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© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.