By Blake Jackson
A new research project is exploring how short-term drought conditions affect lawns and how homeowners and communities can maintain healthy green spaces while using water more efficiently. The study is being led by researchers at Binghamton University and is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The project focuses on understanding how changing weather patterns influence lawn performance over time. As climate conditions become more unpredictable, periods of little rainfall and high temperatures are becoming more common. Researchers hope to learn how lawns respond to these conditions and identify management practices that improve long-term resilience.
The study expands work already underway at Nuthatch Hollow, an outdoor laboratory and wildlife sanctuary associated with Binghamton University. Assistant Professor of Ecosystem Science Amber (Amy) Churchill recently received a USDA grant valued at $298,476 to continue and expand the research effort.
“This grant will allow us to maintain our existing field site as a long-term project and examine new directions in focus, including experimental manipulation of water availability for our lawns,” Churchill explained. “Considering that lawns are a persisting ecosystem, how well things are going years after establishment is as ecologically important as during the initial construction phase.”
The research is part of the Pasture and Lawn Enhanced Diversity Global-change Experiment, also known as PLEDGE. Established in 2024, the project examines how plant diversity influences lawn performance and how lawns respond to environmental conditions and management practices.
The site features 30 enhanced lawns designed to support a wider range of plant life. Each lawn contains one to three species: tall fescue, a common grass found in many home yards; white clover, a legume; and creeping thyme, a low-growing evergreen that flowers throughout much of the summer. Researchers are also testing other native plants in a greenhouse, which may help them recommend additional species for home lawns in the future.
The 30 lawns are split into three groups of 10 based on the plant species they contain. For the new study, researchers will divide each lawn into three sections and apply different amounts of water to selected groups. During the first year, they will measure natural differences within each lawn. In the second year, they will study how the lawns respond to drought.
“Here in New York, short-term drought, especially high intensity ‘pulse’ droughts with very low water over short intervals that are often combined with high temperatures, are generally predicted to become more common, especially during summer months,” Churchill said. “We are especially looking to understand how these changes in water availability will impact some of the ways that we use and rely on lawns, including things like lawn greenness and plant density, which can affect aesthetic value and recreational use.”
Nearly 2% of the continental United States is covered by turfgrass, including lawns, public parks, and golf courses. These human-made landscapes account for 30% to 60% of drinking water use for irrigation and often require fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides to maintain their green appearance.
The project also includes community outreach activities. Researchers plan to host discussions on biodiversity and sustainable management practices for urban and residential landscapes. Community members will have opportunities to learn about practical approaches that support healthy lawns while adapting to environmental change.
“Receiving support for this work through the USDA highlights the commitment that Binghamton University places on community-engaged research,” Churchill said.
Photo Credit: Churdhill
Categories: New York, Education, Weather