The golf course ecosystem: Provides wildlife habitat Protects topsoil from water and wind erosion
How will wildlife be affected by the construction of golf courses?
There are many examples, such as peregrine falcons nesting on cathedrals, foxes and badgers becoming urbanised and dragonflies in garden ponds - wildlife will utilise golf courses as they will urban areas.
Which golf courses are managing for wildlife?
Many courses have biodiversity plans and management plans for wildlife enhancement such as Royal Birkdale, Royal Troon, Royal St Davids, Ipswich Golf Club, St Andrews, The Dyke Golf Club (Sussex), and this just touches on the many golf courses that are managing for wildlife.
How does golf harm the environment?
There are many ways in which golf harms the environment, from the very beginning. For a golf course to be developed, for example, large amounts of land clearing is required, often resulting in deforestation. According to the Seattle Journal of Environmental Law, it is relatively common for developers to ravage entire ecosystems in the process.
What happens if protected species are found on a golf course?
In short, if protected species are present on a golf course, then there are potential implications for the course owners and managers. The legislation also created a framework within which sites could be designated as protected areas; these are known as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
How are golf courses bad for the environment?
Courses dump often unregulated fertilisers and pesticides on their greenways to keep the grass looking unnaturally green. The fertilisers run off into bodies of water, causing a state of nutrient over-enrichment called eutrophication which results in algal blooms that destroy ecosystems.
Is a golf course good for the environment?
5 Although golf course land may be wasteful and harmful, it is positive for the environment because this land provides a safe space for animals, keeps land green, and protects natural areas.
How does a golf course benefit or hurt the economy?
Golf courses definitely have a positive economic impact on local economies. These impacts are demonstrated in the form of new jobs and payroll impacts. . Golf courses have a significant impact in terms of local expenditures for supplies, repairs, maintenance, etc.
Are golf courses a healthy ecosystem?
Now, researchers have determined that golf courses can offer a viable habitat for stream salamanders, and enhanced management practices may be beneficial to ecosystems within golf courses. Currently, there are more than 18,300 golf courses in the U.S. covering over 2.7 million acres.
Are golf courses good for wildlife?
1) Golf Course Roughs And Trees Create Good Wildlife Habitat More than 70 percent of most golf courses are rough and non-play areas including natural grasses, trees and shrubs. Combined with the open areas of fairways and greens, the golf course is an attractive wildlife habitat.
Are golf courses good for animals?
Golf courses are irresistible magnets for wildlife, specifically raccoons, snakes, skunks, opossum, armadillos, foxes and coyotes - not to mention alligators! These finely manicured, highly fertilized and well watered rural looking paradises are just that to wildlife.
Is golf good for the economy?
The game is big business, directly driving $84.1 billion in economic activity across the U.S. in 2016, according to a study commissioned by the World Golf Foundation. The findings reflect a 22% increase from $68.8 billion in 2011, the last time the U.S. Golf Economy Report was released.
What impact does golf have on society?
Moreover, golf is a major U.S. industry which has been bolstering economic development opportunities and generating tax revenues for local communities. The industry impacts 2 million jobs across America and approximately has shared $4 billion annual charitable impact.
How much does a golf course spend on fertilizer?
Fertigation is becoming the way for golf courses to be able to fertilize the grounds in the most efficient and cost-effective way. Did you know that golf courses spend $25,000 to over $100,000 on fertilizer annually?
Are golf courses a waste of land?
Golf courses account for more than 5.1 million acres of land worldwide. That land that could be used as wooded areas, farmland, animal habits, wetlands and countless other activities that are far more useful to society than golf. Golf courses use 13 trillion gallons of water every year.
Are golf courses polluting?
The average golf course uses 312 gallons of water per day for maintenance of the grounds. As this water flows through the property, it can pick up contaminants such as petroleum, pesticides, and fertilizers.
How can golf courses save water?
Experts' Top Five Ways to Conserve Water on Your Golf CourseDo an Irrigation Audit. ... Revisit Your Course's Cultural and Maintenance Practices. ... Use Soil Moisture Sensors. ... Plant Drought Tolerant Turf and/or Consider Turf Conversion. ... Explore Alternative Water Sources.
Why are golf courses important to wildlife?
The nature conservation community, in general, sees golf courses in much the same way as agricultural landscapes i.e. lacking in substantial wildlife potential because they comprise a large expanse of intensively managed grass. However, it is becoming more widely accepted that golf courses represent a significant wildlife resource in an increasingly developed country like Britain .#N#In many parts of the UK, green belt land, often including some valuable habitat, is increasingly under pressure from the need for more housing and industry, making recreational areas and gardens more important for our wildlife that is under ever more pressure. Golf courses also have a contribution to make and, with their large open spaces and areas of rough, water and out-of-play areas, have been described as 'a green lung' and 'a haven for wildlife'.#N#Plants and animals continue to amaze us with their ability to make the most of whatever is available. There are many examples, such as peregrine falcons nesting on cathedrals, foxes and badgers becoming urbanised and dragonflies in garden ponds - wildlife will utilise golf courses as they will urban areas.#N#Having said that, it is true that large areas of golf courses will always be poor in wildlife terms, however, it is the areas away from the greens and fairways that provide opportunities. It is these areas where, if managed appropriately, that really can contribute to biodiversity.#N#As the green belt gets slowly eaten away, and the importance of golf courses becomes recognised, more information is being published on the wildlife value of golf courses. Good advice on management has been produced by bodies such as the Scottish Golf Environment Group (2002, 2009), Tanner and Gange (2005), Tew (2004) and, not least, golf's governing body, the Royal & Ancient, in conjunction with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2009).#N#The R&A have a key objective that golf course management is "... optimising the playing quality of the golf course in harmony with the conservation of its natural environment under economically sound and socially responsible management".#N#So, change is afoot, with golf courses becoming places where wildlife should be able to thrive alongside men and women playing a game they love. An important fact with regard to golf courses and ecology is that they are based on a landscape scale (not just a field amongst a sea of arable crops) and have the potential to be home to mosaic of habitats and an array of species.#N#In terms of addressing wildlife and conservation on a golf course, there are two key issues that come into play:#N#• Protected habitats and species - these may be found on a golf course and could have legal implications for management and development.#N#• General biodiversity value - there is potential to manage golf courses such that they maintain and increase the wildlife they support.
Why is golf important to ecology?
An important fact with regard to golf courses and ecology is that they are based on a landscape scale (not just a field amongst a sea of arable crops) and have the potential to be home to mosaic of habitats and an array of species. In terms of addressing wildlife and conservation on a golf course, there are two key issues that come into play:
What is golf course management?
Golf Course management for wildlife. Many habitats of high value to wildlife need some form of management to maintain that value. Most types of grassland, for example, will not remain as grassland unless they are grazed, mown and/or disturbed in some way. In fact, many of the grassland communities that are considered of high value ...
What are the issues that affect golf courses?
In terms of addressing wildlife and conservation on a golf course, there are two key issues that come into play: • Protected habitats and species - these may be found on a golf course and could have legal implications for management and development.
What is SSSI golf?
SSSI status affords a site protection from development, and a requirement for management to maintain the habitats and species found. In England, around one hundred golf courses have all or part of the course designated as SSSI, and in Scotland around thirty courses have the same designation.
What is the Wildlife and Countryside Act?
The Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (WCA), represents the major legal instrument for wildlife protection in Britain. It has been amended several times and other legislation has been passed since its first inception, which has added further legal weight to wildlife legislation.
How many species are there in the golf course?
There are 1150 species and 65 habitats to strengthen this initiative. All of these species and habitats are now taken into consideration within the planning process. Undoubtedly, many golf courses will be home to protected species such as birds, bats, newts, snakes, insects, mammals and plants.
A Veteran of Sustainability
Although the sustainability trend is on the rise, it’s by no means new. Some golf superintendents have considered themselves environmental stewards for decades.
Syngenta as a Partner in Stewardship
For Syngenta, golf courses represent a market that makes substantial use of its Acelepryn insecticide, which complements the pollinator habitat because it is not harmful to bees. Part of the diamide class of chemistry, Acelepryn is the only diamide approved by the EPA that has no adverse effect on bumble bee colonies.
GOLF GIVES BACK
Despite an economic downturn in 2008, charities across the country continued to benefit from golf. In 2011, $3.9 billion was raised for charities, according to a study released by the National Golf Foundation. A vibrant and healthy community is important for establishing a vibrant and healthy environment.
GREEN TRAVELERS VALUE GREEN COURSES
In 2006, out-of-state visitors contributed more than $1.9 billion in golf-related tourism and activities to the state of Arizona. Travelers tend to be more savvy and knowledgeable about sustainability ─ according to research, 4 out of 10 U.S. travelers consider the environment when planning trips.
