Food for insects
Everyone knows how important role pollinating insects play in the ecosystem. However, there is increasing concern about the massive decline in their populations. There are many reasons for this, but did you know that one of them is insect starvation?
Although the area under cultivation in Poland has been increasing over the last dozen years or so, it is unable to meet the nutritional needs of the insects. As it turns out, it is not only about the number of plants, but also about their species diversity. An undiversified diet and periodic shortages of food are one of the reasons for the declining numbers of pollinators and their reduced resistance[1]. In this aspect, flower meadows are ideal. Thanks to the large number of plant species which flourish there throughout the season, they provide insects with constant access to varied food.
Water retention
The root system of the plants that create a flower meadow is up to 25 times larger compared to a lawn. As a result, it is able to retain more water in the soil and is not as susceptible to periodic droughts. It only needs watering immediately after sowing and during long-term heatwaves, which also makes it much cheaper to maintain. Flower meadows help to slow down the desertification of the soil and to clean the soil, e.g. of residues from plant protection products[2].
Simple care
A further argument in favour of creating flower meadows is that they are cheaper to maintain than flowerbeds or lawns. Their care is limited to mowing once/twice a year. Regular watering, weeding or fertilising is not necessary. In addition, if the right seed mix is chosen, they can be sown almost everywhere.
Home for insects
Lawns and farmlands, often mowed, fertilised, sprayed or subjected to other agro-technical treatments, become a dangerous place for insects. Pollinators lack space to nest and breed. A quiet meadow, when left to its own, becomes the ideal home for them. It can provide shelter for around 300 animal species – not only insects but also small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians[3].
Ecological assets
The plants that can be found in flower meadows are often covered with wax or hairs that enable them to accumulate airborne dust. Moreover, establishing meadows is one way to fight against urban heat islands, as they reduce soil heating and lower air temperatures. Sown along busy roads or tracks, they reduce noise pollution[4]. In addition, a very wide range of native species is largely used to create seed mixes.
Aesthetic qualities
Flower meadows enrich the area and have a positive impact on the aesthetics of the surroundings. As they change their appearance throughout the year, they cannot become boring. What is more, they smell wonderfully and some of the flowers are edible for humans!
There are many reasons for sowing meadows. Besides public spaces, they can be found on photovoltaic farms, near factories or even on the balconies in pots. The trend for meadows seems to be going strong. Their ecological, aesthetic and even recreational function means that they are more and more often seen in cities. Over the years, they have been successively replaced by lawns, but now they are returning to their former place.