Known botanist and lecturer at the University of Rzeszów, Prof. Łukasz Łuczaj, publically called on the Polish government tothe illegalisation of combustion mowers and electrical mowers and introducing a ban on lawn mowing by 1 June. His appeal echoed widely on social media and rekindled the debate on the impact of man on the urban and suburban environment.
Botany Appeal: Time for extremist decisions
In the Facebook entry Prof. Luke Archer Don't beat around the bush. Calls to total prohibition of mechanical mowers, stressing that excessive and besides early lawn mowing drastically reduces biodiversity.
"Our planet needs extremist action. The biodiversity of non-forest areas has fallen terribly in fresh years. Rich in grasslands and pastures have disappeared. Most grassy areas in Poland present are either low mowed lawns or bushes dominated by invasive Canadian“ The prof. explains.
Trawl – "ecosystem almost dead"
According to the botanist low lawns are almost completely lifeless ecosystems. They are not a habitat for insects or birds. Meanwhile, their ecological possible could be much greater – it would be adequate to reduce mowing and change its term.
Prof. Luchaj emphasizes that lawns are ‘Senselessly coughed up’, a If only erstwhile a year, their natural value would increase considerably. He besides added that specified actions would improve conditions for pollination insectsincreased Bird food and created natural hiding places for chaotic species.
“Mower’s growls” alternatively of bird singing
The professor's next argument is noise nuisance caused by mowers, especially in densely built towns.
‘You can't even live in a place where you can hear braided lawn mowers.“” says the scientist. In his opinion time until 1 June should be reserved for singing birds, not for mechanical noise.
That is why he advocates not only lawn mowing ban until Junebut besides the illegalisation of combustion and electrical mowers – but for agricultural uses. Manual scythes, according to the professor, could return as ecological and silent alternative.
Back to the hand scythe? Only after 1 June
Prof. Luchaj only allows farmers to usage mechanical equipment, After 1 Junewhen most plants flourish and supply shelter for many species. In his opinion Stopping mowing in May could rebuild meadow floraand thus contribute to increase in pollinators and birds singing.
He besides points to cities and settlements that could manage hundreds of hectares of lawns in a more balanced way. Current practice leads to the creation of ‘dead’ areas which They service neither humans nor nature.
Protecting biodiversity or unrealistic utopia?
Although Prof. Łuczaj's request may seem controversial, it fits into the broader debate about renewable urban and suburban green spaces. In many European cities, pilot programmes are already underway to reduce mowing and reconstruct chaotic meadows. Poland, according to the botanist, should follow this path.
On the another hand, his ideas – especially the full delegation of mowers – can be seen as besides extremist or hard to enforce. A broad educational campaign, changing social habits and developing new green area care standards, especially in the context of the safety and aesthetics of public space.
The appeal of Prof. Luchaj is Voice of an expert who pays attention to biodiversity degradation in Poland and the consequences of mediocre management of green areas. Although his demands may origin controversy, they shed light on an crucial problem loss of natural habitats in cities and villages. Further discussion on the improvement of the approach to greening seems inevitable – especially in an age of increasing ecological crises.
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Prof. Luchaj urges: Ban lawn mowing until 1 June and ban lawn mowers
