Useful information for ecologically oriented green space maintenance

Extensively managed landscapes are important habitats and refuges for a variety of animal and plant species in times of intensive land use. There are a number of things to consider when it comes to maintenance frequency, period and mowing direction. Since mowing is indispensable, AS-Motor offers technical solutions to make its effects as gentle as possible.

To minimize the effect of mowing on flora and fauna, there should be as little intervention in the area as possible, but as much as necessary. Without any maintenance and management measures, ecologically important areas and marginal lands are subject to bush and forest encroachment. This must be prevented at all costs, as lack of maintenance leads to a decrease in biodiversity. In Central Europe, one to two maintenance intervals are ideal.

The maintenance period has a decisive influence on which animal and plant species settle permanently in an area. Unfortunately, there is no ideal maintenance period for all species at the same time. All maintenance planning must therefore take into account which species are to be protected and promoted. The creation of refuges and escape routes is equally important in ecologically oriented and animal-friendly green space maintenance. The mowing direction is also important to protect animals and insects during mowing. It is recommended to mow from the center of the area outwards. In this way, the animals on the surface are pushed to the edge and can fly under the protection of the vegetation. The same applies to mowing in strips.

In addition to the right mowers for such demanding applications, which are characterized by slopes, bushes, tall grass and difficult terrain, AS-Motor offers additional technical solutions to protect flora and fauna.

Useful aid: insect deterrent device

Deterrent devices for lawn mowers scare flying insects at a distance in front of the lawn mower. This gives them enough time to fly away from the danger zone. At the same time, more beetles and larvae are scared away and fall to the safe ground outside the mowing area. A scientific field study conducted by the University of Hohenheim* with an AS 63 high grass mower has shown that with the help of the insect deterrent device, almost three times as many insects are scared away in front of the lawn mower than when mowing without a deterrent device. AS-Motor's device is available for AS 62 and AS 63 all mowers, for AS 701 and AS 901 fan mowers, for the new AS 1000 Ovis RC belt fan mower as well as for the entire Sherpa and entire YAK family.

In focus: Bar mower

Oscillating mowing techniques - better known as bar mowers - are particularly gentle on insects and small creatures when mowing. The triangular blades running towards each other cut the grass cleanly like scissors. The grass and plants remain undamaged and full-length on the surface and begin to dry. The dried grass can then be collected at short intervals and used as hay. AS-Motor has two matching double blade bars in its range for its AS 600 MultiPro implement carrier.

To protect mammals and reptiles living close to the ground, the cutting height should be as high as possible: at least 8 cm, preferably 10 cm. Even insects that are grazed by a deterrent device have a better chance of escaping unharmed.

Useful: Cultivation belt rake

Often, mowing is not the end of the process. The next step is to remove clippings from the area to prevent nutrient enrichment. The lack of nutrients in certain grassland sites is an important prerequisite for the flowering of many herbs. Nutrient-poor sites produce a more colorful and species-rich plant composition. These sites are managed extensively, i.e. only once or twice a year. AS-Motor's belt rake, which can also be attached to the AS 600 MultiPro, is a very useful tool for removing clippings. But the belt rake with a working width of 120 cm can also be used in various functions for forage collection for small-scale agriculture or private animal husbandry. In the first step, the machine functions as a turner with higher engine speed and without weather protection. With weather protection and low speed, the hay is then conveniently collected in windrows.

Comprehensive knowledge from the experts at AS-Motor on ecologically oriented green space maintenance can be found on the Internet at:

Ecologically oriented green space maintenance