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| DOI: | 10.1016/j.biocon.2018.01.025 |
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| Web URL(s): | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320717306201
Last checked: 05/30/2018
Access conditions: Item is within a limited-access website |
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| Publication Type:
| Refereed |
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| Author(s): | Lerman, Susannah B.;
Contosta, Alexandra R.;
Milam, Joan;
Bang, Christofer |
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| Author Affiliation: | Lerman: USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, Amherst, MA and Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA; Contosta: Earth Systems Research Center, Insitute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; Milam: Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA; Bang: School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ |
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| Title: | To mow or to mow less: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity in suburban yards |
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| Source: | Biological Conservation. Vol. 221, May 2018, p. 160-174. |
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| Publishing Information: | Essex, England: Elsevier B.V. |
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| # of Pages: | 15 |
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| Related Web URL: | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320717306201#ab0005
Last checked: 05/30/2018
Notes: Abstract only |
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| Keywords: | TIC Keywords: Apidae; Greenspace; Lawn turf; Mowing frequency; Population dynamics; Urban habitat; Wildflowers
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| Abstract/Contents: | "Green spaces embedded within the urban matrix, particularly residential yards, could mitigate negative aspects of urban development and provide pollinator habitat. Lawns represent a dominant green space, and their management consists of frequent mowing to inhibit the growth of ostensibly 'weedy' species (e.g., dandelions and clover). Since widespread population declines of bees and other pollinators from habitat loss are a growing concern, these spontaneous flowers could provide pollen and nectar sources throughout the growing season. We experimentally tested whether different lawn mowing frequencies (1, 2 or 3 weeks) influenced bee abundance and diversity in 16 suburban western Massachusetts yards by increasing lawn floral resources. Lawns mowed every three weeks had as much as 2.5 times more lawn flowers than the other frequencies. Interestingly, lawns mowed every two weeks supported the highest bee abundance yet the lowest bee richness and evenness. We suggest these patterns were driven by a combination of more abundant floral resources (compared with 1-week yards), easier access to lawn flowers due to shorter grass and a more drastic impact on grass biomass and floral resources (compared with 3-week yards), and the dominance of a few generalist bees overwhelming our samples, thus driving richness and evenness. Our results highlight a lazy lawnmower approach to providing bee habitat. Mowing less frequently is practical, economical, and a timesaving alternative to lawn replacement or even planting pollinator gardens. Given the pervasiveness of lawns coupled with habitat loss, our findings provide immediate solutions for individual households to contribute to urban conservation." |
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| Language: | English |
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| References: | 92 |
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| Note: | Pictures, color
Tables
Graphs |
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| ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Lerman, S. B., A. R. Contosta, J. Milam, and C. Bang. 2018. To mow or to mow less: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance and diversity in suburban yards. Biol. Conserv. 221:p. 160-174. |
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| DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2018.01.025 |
| Web URL(s):
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320717306201
Last checked: 05/30/2018
Access conditions: Item is within a limited-access website |
| 
MSU catalog number: b2225973 |
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