First KomBioTa publication reveals: insect-friendly mowing technology can make an important contribution to species conservation [17.02.22]
In our man-made world, the diversity of flora and fauna is dwindling. Are investments in modern mowing technology important? And to what extent can they protect insect habitats? In a recently published paper in the Journal of Applied Entomology, scientists from the Universities of Hohenheim and Tübingen present their latest findings around the use of insect-friendly mowing heads. In it, the experts demonstrate that technology that does not suck in insects can significantly mitigate the loss of insects during roadside mowing and even fully compensate for some insect groups. The publication is the first publication in the Competence Center for Biodiversity and Integrative Taxonomy (KomBioTa).
Common mowing practices kill many insects, such as this marsh grasshopper. Insect-friendly mowing techniques would keep these animals alive. (Photo: University of Hohenheim / T. Kimmich)
In the recent article "Negative impact of roadside mowing on arthropod fauna and its reduction with ‘arthropod-friendly’ mowing technique" in the Journal of Applied Entomology, Prof. Dr. Johannes Steidle (KomBioTa Board, University of Hohenheim, Institute of Biology) and Thomas Kimmich, Michael Csader and Prof. Dr. Oliver Betz (University of Tübingen, Institute of Evolution and Ecology) describe their latest findings on the study of roadside mowing.
These green spaces are considered corridors for dispersal and connectivity of populations. If they are mowed by conventional technology, it can have a negative impact on the grassland and its fauna. As the scientists found, current mowing techniques kill between 29 and 73% of the insects that live here. These are significant losses. In contrast, the use of insect-friendly mowing heads can reduce species loss by 15 to 25 % or even completely compensate for many groups.
Investing in innovative technology therefore has high potential to reduce insect declines in grassland along roads and protect it as valuable insect habitat.
Original publication:
Johannes L. M. Steidle, Thomas Kimmich, Michael Csader, Oliver Betz (2021): Negative impact of roadside mowing on arthropod fauna and its reduction with ‘arthropod-friendly’ mowing technique. In: Journal of applied Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.12976
Back to Latest News
