Assessing Environmental Conditions

Introduction

This paper looks at some of the environmental conditions which might be considered when a turf area or facility is assessed. It is important to consider the impact a range of conditions may have on the assessed facility, as this will contribute to making a better informed decision for any action which is undertaken. Two examples are given, one for the conditions which particularly impact on root development, and the other on the problems of soil compaction.

Grasses and weeds are limited by environmental conditions, with different species being more or less adaptable to certain types of environmental conditions than others.

A 'condition' can be described as a non-living (abiotic) environmental factor which influences a species ability to establish and develop itself to its full potential.

General impacts of environmental conditions

Some examples of environmental conditions and impacts of these are identified in the following table:

Conditions	Examples of general impacts	How can the 'condition' be assessed?
Rainfall	Irrigation requirements; drainage design; drought resistant species;	Rainfall gauge
Temperature	Cool or warm season grasses; germination & establishment rate; seed dormancy;	Thermometer
Geographic location	Combination of a number of other conditions listed	Ordinance Survey maps
Altitude
Relative humidity	Disease incidence; dew presence;	Hygrometer
Wind speed	Desiccation; irrigation requirement;	Anemometer
pH of Soil or Water	Optimum range in which species will grow adequately; indicator plants; affect on nutrient availability; suitability of irrigation supply;	pH meter
Soil texture	Related to moisture holding capacity; drainage & irrigation requirements; sand/silt/clay - particle size analysis;	By feel or by sieving
Soil structure	Root development; drainage potential; waterlogging; high water table present by soil colour?	Visual assessment
Soil compaction	Favours species which can survive with shallow rooting	Penetrometer
Soil nutrient availability	Optimum growth; excessive or inadequate growth;	Nutrient test kits; Visual assessment of indicator plants
Ground and air pollutants	Sulphur dioxide; methane; contaminated water;	Specialist test equipment
Soil salinity	Limited species - saltmarsh plants; plant stress; plasmolysis	Conductivity meter
Shade / light levels	Reduced growth; weaker growth; slower growth; disease incidence; shade loving species	Light assessment meter

To complement the information obtained during an assessment of the environmental conditions, two additional assessments (sward and subsurface) can be carried out to give a really comprehensive picture of the prevailing situation.

Sward assessment

To ensure as much information is gathered as possible during a sward assessment, a pre-planned assessment sheet is usually best employed. This is then used to record the situation at the time of the assessment and is filed for future reference to see how a sward might change over a period of time.

Such records are very useful when drawing up management plans as they can indicate what effect previous decisions and actions have had on the quality of a facility.

See an example of a sward assessment sheet.

Subsurface assessment

A similar assessment should also be carried out for criteria which can only be accessed through some form of excavation. See an example of a subsurface assessment sheet.

Root development

Turfgrasses require a well developed root system for the production of an adequately established, hard wearing and resilient sward. Some factors, including biotic ones, which have an effect on root growth will need to be considered in any assessment:

1. Soil temperature;
2. Soil moisture content;
3. Available nutrients;
4. Soil pore space;
5. Soil pH;
6. Oxygen supply within the soil;
7. Undesirable chemicals / toxins within the soil;
8. Fungal / bacterial presence within the soil;
9. Soil compaction.

Many of these factors interact with one another.

Soil Compaction

This is a major problem on sportsturf areas and one which is addressed on a regular basis. Some of the problems and consequences of soil compaction are highlighted below:

Soil Compaction (caused by users and machinery)

Reduces soil pore space

Reduces oxygen supply

Affects soil temperature (slower to warm up)

Reduces soil moisture content

A build up of soil toxins due to anaerobic conditions (increase in Black Layer potential?)

The breakdown of organic matter is reduced

Root growth is restricted, with shallow rooting being encouraged

Playing quality of the sward is reduced

etc.

Conclusion

A wide range of useful environmental information can be collected, most of it fairly readily, for use in the effective management of turf areas.