Biodiversity and nature, pay attention to how to mow the lawn: there is a world of animals among the blades of grass

It’s May. We turn on the lawnmower to make our garden tidy and prepare a beautiful green carpet, clean and tidy. But what actually happens when we do it? Are we sure that this “English lawn” is what Nature needs? And why have several researchers in England launched the “No Mow May” campaign?

An action so common and usual, in spring, as that of cutting the grass can actually cause serious damage to biodiversity and the survival of many animals.
In fact, among the blades of grass, the life of hundreds of different species is enclosed, species that find food and shelter in our meadows. Butterflies, bees, crickets, green lizards, frogs, small mammals, passerines, species which in turn will feed other animals in the magnificent and rhythmic ecosystemic balance of the circle of life.

In short, what for us is an undisciplined garden, for billions of animals is home, and for Nature it is life! The Plantlife association has conducted scientific research in which it was found that simple changes in mowing can produce nectar ten times more abundantly for bees and other pollinators. The statistics on the loss of flower meadows are shocking: some 7.5 million acres have been lost and the data on wildlife loss is no better. A study published in the journal Nature Communications shows that many pollinating insects are in decline and according to research from the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature), 30% of known arthropod species are at risk of extinction and the cause is destruction. of habitats. Between 1980 and 2013, every square kilometer in the UK lost an average of 11 species of bees and hoverflies. The reasons for this are the use of insecticides, habitat loss and an overall reduction in biodiversity. As such, international researchers argue that people’s private gardens can play a key role in reversing this trend. And it would take very little: every slightest effort can have a big impact, just think that for example only eight dandelion flowers are needed to produce enough nectar and feed an adult bee while it carries out its pollination mission. We think on a large scale the impact that unmowed lawns can have on the ecosystem and the health of the environment.

The benefits of flowering lawns do not end there, in fact according to some studies, the uncut grass keeps the soil at 19.5 ° C, the 10 cm cut grass maintains the soil temperature at 24.5 ° C while the grassless soil rises to over 40 ° C and in light of the immense problem of climate change, these data on climate mitigation cannot go unnoticed.

So how to behave with your lawn?
There is no need to stop mowing completely! Mowing the lawn, yes, but conscientiously and sparingly. For botanist Trevor Dines, it’s about changing the way we all think about managing our gardens. “It’s time for people to relax a little,” he says. «Avoiding obsessive mowing means that instead of a monotonous monoculture of green concrete, your garden will be lush and full of interest. I don’t think people realize how bio-different our lawns can be ».
The important thing is to alternate areas with relatively short grass to areas reserved for longer grass where floral diversity abounds. This allows different flowers and plants to host different animals and to create a mini-jungle to house many small creatures and where sparrows and goldfinches can come to feed on the seeds. Herbs will lose their seeds, wildflowers will blossom and provide nectar, while longer stems will create a sheltered microclimate. We also avoid using brush cutters, as they can injure hedgehogs, frogs and other animals. To have a greater positive impact on wildlife, you should not mow your lawn until early July and then mow normally once a month until the grass stops growing in late autumn. Cutting the grass, leaving about 5 cm only once a month, in fact, encourages the maximum number of flowers to grow in the lawn.

To help insects, and therefore the entire ecosystem, we can also build or buy “bugs-hotels”, that is, insect houses where they can shelter from the weather, the cold and nest. These are very simple constructions: from hollow bricks, to bamboo canes, perforated sticks or layers of cardboard. In addition, we can also plant flowers and plants that can feed insects. For example, for butterflies: Nettle, Wild carrot, Dandelion, Thistles, Viperine grass, Centauree, Grasses, Romice, Wild fennel, Ginestrino, Buddleia, Lantana, Lavender, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Santolina, Verbena, Sedum da fiore, Marjoram and Mint. And for bees: Rosemary, Dandelion, Sage, Clover, Lavender, Echinacea, Yarrow, Sunflower, Clover, Calendula, Mallow, Jerusalem artichoke and Chrysanthemum.

So let’s learn to live with those little animals that are punctually crushed, killed and removed. We learn to know them and respect them in their uniqueness and instead of cutting lawns, we plant flowers. Instead of chasing away bugs, we build hotels for them.

* Chiara Grasso is an ethologist and president of Eticoscienza

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