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Elsevier

Biological Conservation

Volume 221, May 2018, Pages 160-174
Biological Conservation

To mow or to mow less: Lawn mowing frequency affects bee abundance
and diversity in suburban yards

Author links open overlay panelSusannah B.Lerman^a^bAlexandra R.
Contosta^cJoanMilam^bChristoferBang^d
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2018.01.025Get rights and content

Abstract

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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Keywords

Bee conservation
Management
Urban biodiversity
Suburban lawns
Backyard habitat
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