Lawn mowing for species conservation

Summer is the time for insects, heat-loving reptiles and flowering meadows. The topic of mowing is more important than you might think: because the right mowing technique for flower strips and species-rich grassland is real nature conservation work. Various flower-rich meadows, which provide a valuable habitat for many animal and plant species, must be mowed and cleared of the mown material every year. Without this maintenance measure, which mimics the historical extensive use of mown meadows, too many nutrients accumulate in the soil. Only a few fast-growing plants benefit from this, the diversity of herbs decreases and the meadow quickly becomes overgrown with bushes and trees.

So-called early compensatory measures often consist of the creation of new species-rich open habitats if such habitats are lost as a result of a construction project. The replacement habitat should be optimally designed and maintained for the target species so that wild bees, moths and sand lizards can live there permanently. Careful mowing means not only finding the right time of year, but also the right temperature: it should be warm and dry so that the cold-blooded animals have the opportunity to hide from the mower. In addition, a bar mower should be used and the cutting height should not be less than 10 - 15 cm. Last but not least, the mosaic or strip mowing technique is recommended, as not everything is mown at once. This is even possible in the home garden.