Fall leaves on the lawn might seem like a nuisance but they actually play an important role in the environment.
An environmental group encourages Pennsylvanians to “leave the leaves” where they fall. Leaves and other yard trimmings account for roughly 12.1% of the waste generated in U.S. municipalities, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Kristen Heberlig, Pennsylvania watershed and resiliency program manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, said fallen leaves play a vital role in the ecosystem. When left on the ground, they form a natural layer which supports wildlife, improves soil health and boosts biodiversity.
“The leaves offer habitat for certain pollinator species,” Heberlig pointed out. “Lots of little bugs will lay their eggs or they’ll burrow under them and winter over and they also can provide food for certain critters.”
She noted Pennsylvania saw plenty of rain in the spring but conditions quickly dried out and the state received very little rainfall over the summer. She added leaving leaves on the ground can help the soil retain moisture and provide insulation when rain or snow arrives in the coming fall and winter months.
Heberlig emphasized leaves are important for water quality. As rainwater flows through a watershed and over fallen leaves, it picks up nutrients and other characteristics from them. She added each watershed has its own “flavor,” depending on the types of trees and leaves present. She described the distinct characteristics from the leaves, kind of like brewing tea.
“As the rainwater enters streams, it carries that dissolved organic matter with it, and each watershed makes up a unique blend,” Heberlig outlined. “And the critters in the water are macro invertebrates, know the flavors of those teas, and so they recognize and drink the tea.”
Scientists estimate forest floors absorb 10 to 15 times more precipitation than do equivalent areas of lawn and leaves in the forest pile up and provide lots of organic matter for the forest floor. Heberlig suggested instead of buying mulch for landscaping, try mulching the leaves, which is organic matter to the lawn and offers the benefit of moisture absorption, which is friendly to the local ecosystem.
“If you have one of those mulching mowers, you can just mow over it and break it down into tinier bits and pieces, which would then also help to break it down faster, instead of having full leaves laying on your yard,” Heberlig recommended. “It would still offer that biodiversity and offer a little bit of habitat for insects.”
She added leaving leaves in place benefits not just wildlife, soil and water, but also air quality. Skipping gas-powered leaf blowers cuts greenhouse gas emissions and keeping leaves out of landfills prevents methane production. Letting them naturally decompose supports the environment while reducing pollution.
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