But with a small adjustment, the Danish Road Directorate will now try to create a more diverse flora and a richer insect life in these places.
The grass along the 7600 kilometers of roadside in Denmark will in future be cut in the spring instead of in the autumn – and in different lengths – for the benefit of biodiversity.
That’s what Christina Steenbeck, a biologist at the Danish Road Directorate, says.
– There is a big difference between mowing flowers and grass in the spring compared to in the autumn, she says.
– In the spring, you stress the nutrient-loving plants like stinging nettles, which grow very tall and take up all the space, in the middle of the time when they need to grow to the maximum.
– In this way, you provide better conditions of competition for the plants that are not so large, but where there is a greater supply of different species. That is, they can do better in the competition and we will hopefully get more variety.
So far, the grass along the road edges has been mowed at a height of 6-12 centimeters. But in the future it will be beaten in two lengths.
Closest to the road, the grass will be completely short so that it does not compromise road safety. Further in, the grass can reach 14-20 centimeters.
The varied flora will especially benefit the bees, which are hard pressed for one’s flora at home. But bird life will also benefit from more insects to eat.
There has been a great deal of political focus on biodiversity in recent times. And the traffic area must also make its contribution, says Minister of Transport Benny Engelbrecht (S).
Therefore, the government will also allocate 150 million to promote biodiversity along roads and railways.
– Denmark is a small country, and there are limited natural resources.
– And that is why we must utilize all the space for nature in areas where we do not have to use a piece of land anyway, he says.
The new initiative for mowing the lawn is part of the Danish Road Directorate’s large operating tender for who from 2022 will be responsible for the ongoing operation of the state roads.
Source: The Nordic Page