A New Approach to Gardening: Anne Midtveit, a retired Norwegian landscape architect, is supporting insect populations by embracing a wilder garden approach. Rather than maintaining a pristine lawn, she’s allowing grass and wildflowers to grow undisturbed. This practice, known as permakulture, provides a natural haven for various insect species.
The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) has observed a troubling annual decline in insect populations, averaging a 14% reduction each year. Erik Stange, a researcher at NINA, shares a nuanced view of the overgrowth in private gardens. While the aim is to create a bug-friendly environment, letting the grass grow can inadvertently nurture blacklisted invasive species alongside the native flora.
To properly manage garden biodiversity, NINA recommends gardeners to use the Artsorakel application. With the assistance of artificial intelligence, this app is designed to identify the plant species in one’s garden using uploaded or live photographs. It can guide users in recognizing which species may need to be controlled or removed to prevent the spread of unwanted species.
At her Hamar residence, Midtveit divides her garden into zones. Some parts are mowed merely once a year while others remain untouched for long stretches. She celebrates the emergence of blooms and insect lives, even attracting creatures uncommon in regularly manicured lawns, such as a grasshopper spotted the previous year.
This method not only welcomes a variety of insects but also supports the pollinators that are crucial for the ecosystem and are in dire need due to habitat loss and other environmental pressures. With individuals like Midtveit leading by example, there’s hope for promoting more insect-friendly practices in personal gardens across Norway.
Understanding the Importance of Biodiversity in Private Gardens: Insect populations play an integral role in ecosystems, acting as pollinators for a wide range of plant species, decomposers of organic matter, and as a food source for higher trophic levels. By forgoing traditional lawn aesthetics in favor of a more naturalistic approach, Anne Midtveit contributes to the conservation of these crucial organisms.
The Challenge of Managing Invasive Species: One critical challenge associated with allowing a garden to flourish without regular maintenance is the possible propagation of invasive plant species. These species can outcompete native plants and disrupt local ecosystems. As mentioned, the NINA suggests using the Artsorakel application to help gardeners identify and control invasive species.
The Balance Between Wild and Managed Land: While encouraging biodiversity, there may be questions about how best to strike a balance between allowing gardens to grow wild and maintaining some level of intervention to prevent issues such as the spread of pests or invasive plants.
Advantages:
– Promotes a richer variety of native flora and fauna
– Provides critical habitats for pollinators and other insects
– Reduces the need for lawn chemicals and fertilizers, which can be harmful to the environment
– Contributes to the aesthetics of natural beauty and the personal satisfaction of contributing to biodiversity conservation
Disadvantages:
– The garden may become unkempt, which could conflict with community standards or personal preferences
– Requires knowledge to manage properly and distinguish between invasive and native species
– Potential for attracting unwanted wildlife or pests if not managed correctly
To learn more about biodiversity and its importance, you can visit environmental and nature conservation organizations like the World Wide Fund for Nature at World Wildlife Fund or the International Union for Conservation of Nature at IUCN.
For those interested in exploring the principles of permakulture (though the correct term is ‘permaculture’), further information is generally available from permaculture organizations or resource websites, each country or region typically having its own dedicated resources.