Competitors Battle It Out on Survival Islands
In the heart of Germany, the city of Düsseldorf is leading the way in urban green space management, combining flood protection with species conservation and biodiversity enhancement. This innovative approach is particularly evident in the city's drainage areas and dikes.
One of the city's most ecologically valuable meadow areas, the Düsseldorf Deichwiesen, is a testament to this forward-thinking strategy. Despite the fact that flower areas cannot be created on dikes due to the necessity of mowing certain grass species for dike protection, the city has found a way to nurture a diverse and thriving ecosystem.
The city's drainage authority employs a unique method called the "tray mowing technique" for mowing. This approach spares more insects than traditional methods, increasing their chances of survival. By cutting vegetation in small, manageable patches, or "trays," rather than large areas at once, undisturbed refuge spots for insects and small animals are created.
Unmowed meadows may not be as colorful, but they contribute significantly to biodiversity through the blooming of existing plants and the height of the grass. Refraining from mowing flower strips should not be confused with creating wildflower meadows. Instead, it is a strategic approach to preserve the habitat for insects.
The aim of mowing these areas once is to preserve the habitat for insects while maintaining water management infrastructure. The primary goal on river banks is to protect citizens from flooding.
To document the positive and negative impacts on the ecology and the coherence of the grass sward, a specialized planning office is ecologically accompanying the program. This ensures that the city's practices are not only effective in flood protection but also beneficial for biodiversity.
This year, some flower strips on the Löricker Deich and the Lohauser Deich will be mowed only once as a trial. This experiment aims to further optimize the city's mowing practices and contribute to a more diverse and resilient urban ecosystem.
Düsseldorf’s use of flower strips and tray mowing contributes to a heterogeneous landscape that enhances species habitats along these critical urban waterways and flood defenses. This integrated mowing approach balances flood protection needs with ecological goals, setting a precedent for other cities to follow.
In the realm of environmental science, Düsseldorf's unique mowing technique in their meadow areas and dikes, known as the "tray mowing technique," fosters a thriving ecological system, particularly beneficial for insects. This strategic mowing approach within the urban green space management contributes to a more diverse and resilient lifestyle, even in home-and-garden settings like the city's drainage areas.
