Final answer:
The statement that sod should be mowed at the height it was harvested is false; proper mowing height depends on various factors. Mowing stabilizes flowering time in grasses and ensures regrowth, which supports herbivores and maintains net primary productivity similar to previous seasons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the continued height-of-cut for a lawn established with sod should be whatever it was when the sod was harvested is false. After sod is established, the appropriate height-of-cut will depend on several factors including the type of grass, its growth patterns, and the desired use and appearance of the lawn. Adjusting the mowing height is necessary for the health of the lawn and can influence different aspects such as flowering time.
In terms of the flowering pattern of grass, mowing stabilizes the flowering time. A land manager who mows a section of annual grass and records the date of flowering would likely notice that the mowed field shows a steady trend in flowering time, in contrast to an unmowed field. This is because mowing can influence the grass's development cycle, often leading to predictable flowering patterns each year.
As for the grasses growing back after mowing, they will indeed regenerate, and the area's net primary productivity should be similar to previous seasons assuming similar environmental conditions. This regrowth also ensures that herbivores which rely on the grass as a food source can return to the area, maintaining the ecosystem's balance.