🔄FROM THE ARCHIVE: Maintaining classic green lawns threaten the climate, biodiversity, water conservation and other sustainable goals.
The deep emerald hue of freshly clipped grass can paint the picture of suburban serenity. In some versions of the American Dream, the perfect lawn represents a keystone of success — often complementing a two-car garage and happy family, or perhaps compensating for the lack of such trappings.
The popularity of lawns spread with European colonization of the Americas. Even most of the grass species found in U.S. lawns are European. This type of grassy ecosystem might jive alright with the natural ecosystem in some parts of the U.S. — green fields interspaced with glades of trees may not be that out of place in wild areas of New England, for example. But lawns are wildly out of step with the natural ecosystems of dry places like Phoenix or San Diego in the Southwest.
Lerman says that by giving space in your yard to bushes, plants and trees of different sizes, you can diversify the types of ecosystem niches available to the bees and birds. You can even help to diversify your yard by changing the height of the grass itself.Lerman conducted in Massachusetts showed that being a lazy lawnmower actually improves the diversity and abundance of bees. She and her colleagues gave free lawnmowing services to homes in Massachusetts.
“You can’t just go at [people] from an ecological point of view,” Lerman says. In other words, the best thing ecologically might be wild, waist-high grasses in some areas, but it’s hard to change the predominant belief that well-kempt lawns are equated with house value. And even if one person might be onboard with that, their neighbors likely don’t agree. “Culturally and socially, people weren’t ready,” Lerman adds.
Lawnmowers, especially the type you can sit on and operate with a cold drink on a Saturday afternoon, contribute greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, Lerman and colleagues found in one. But sunny lawns rather than those with trees also take a toll on the climate. Neighborhoods without trees are often hotter on average than shady tree-draped areas. This can have an impact on air-conditioning bills, Lerman says, which drives up carbon consumption.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
The Best Electric Lawn Mowers in 2023 - AutoblogMowing the lawn is crucial to keeping your home looking nice. Investing in an electric lawn mower can make lawn care easier and more efficient.
Weiterlesen »
Mulching mowers work well for the low-maintenance lawnA garden expert weighs in on the kinds of lawnmowers that fit each type of lawn the best.
Weiterlesen »
Was a Giant Penis 'Drawn' Into Lawn Where a King Charles Coronation Party Was Planned?A clear-cut case of 'lawndalism.' We'll show ourselves out ...
Weiterlesen »
Implosion of former Nabisco plant in Fair Lawn called offDeveloping: The implosion of the former Nabisco plant in Bergen County has been called off.
Weiterlesen »
Implosion of Nabisco factory in Fair Lawn officially scrappedThe implosion of a Nabisco factory in New Jersey has been officially canceled after multiple delays.
Weiterlesen »