Assessment of ecological benefit of 10 perennial ornamental grasses in Beijing area

The ecological benefits of 10 perennial ornamental grasses named Andropogon scoparius, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua gracili, Stipa grandis, Festuca arundinacea, Elytrigia repens, Elymus nutans, Agropyron cristatum, Dactylis glomerata and Bromus inermis were studied by determining their ability of CO₂ fixation and O₂ release, capacity of water releasing and energy absorbed by transpiration, dust catching efficiency and the ability to improve soil quality, in order to compare part of their ecological benefits by quantitative analysis and provide an important reference for the application of ornamental grass in the northern gardens. The results showed that the ten species all had good ecological benefits, and their ecological function varied. Among them, Andropogon scoparius, Bouteloua curtipendula and Stipa grandis had higher ecological benefits, and were recommended as good ornamental grasses for northern gardens.