Climate Jenny 2.1Scientific Frontline: Hidden insect diversity in grass shoots threatened by mowing https://www.sflorg.com/2026/02/agro02142601.html
Thanks to @futurebird for rocking my world this morning. Whew. This paper is quantitative evidence that mowing grasslands has a cost in insect diversity. Duh, you may say. But it throws yet another wrinkle into grassland management, since unmanaged grasslands tend to turn into forests over time through natural succession. Mowing has been an alternative to using fire for managed burns (not an option in high-density populated areas). #NativePlants #Grasses #Grasslands #invertebrates
@futurebird Also, check out the totally amazing chart showing a *linear relationship* between the length of the culm (stem) and the number of invertebrate species a grass species can host.
Aaron@ClimateJenny "since unmanaged grasslands tend to turn into forests over time"
A local urban park has several areas that are mowed for that reason - but only once a year. Early spring before the new season's growth.
Honestly curious if that approach is better, and if so, to what degree. I'm guessing some species need to overwinter inside a standing stalk.
A local urban park has several areas that are mowed for that reason - but only once a year. Early spring before the new season's growth.
Honestly curious if that approach is better, and if so, to what degree. I'm guessing some species need to overwinter inside a standing stalk.
diana 🏳️⚧️🦋🌱Mowed lawns are the world's largest and most useless irrigated crop.