Prohibition: German Gardens to Forbid Use of Lawn Mowers
Germany is revisiting the debate on banning lawnmowers in private gardens, a measure intended to conserve wildlife and promote more natural garden spaces. However, many homeowners and garden enthusiasts are resistant to the proposal.
Aesthetic Appeal versus Biodiversity
In modern society, a well-manicured garden serves as a symbol of status. Neglecting to maintain a garden differently, or letting weeds grow unchecked, is often seen as a sign of untidiness. The prevalence of this mindset results in fewer gardens teeming with wildflowers, beneficial insects, and other wildlife, as indicated by the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU).
The concern is that the absence of such plants and harmonious ecosystems leaves wildlife with insufficient food, potentially leading to a sharp decline in both plant and animal diversity. Initiatives like "mow-free May" have been proposed to allow wildflowers to bloom and attract a variety of animal species. However, such proposals could be daunting for those with an insistent preference for impeccably mown lawns.
Technology and Wildlife Conflict
Lawnmowing robots, which can be controlled via mobile applications to cut grass at designated times, are being increasingly adopted by busy homeowners. The problem lies in the fact that many users set these robots to operate at night, when wildlife tends to be active. Encounters between the robots and animals often lead to fatal consequences, particularly for hedgehogs, which are protected under conservation laws. Hedgehogs rely on their spines for defense and do not possess the ability to flee quickly.
Despite manufacturers' claims that lawnmowing robots can identify and avoid obstacles, consumer reports by Stiftung Warentest reveal that these machines do not recognize hedgehogs as such. Consequently, hedgehogs are often run over, causing severe injuries from which nearly half of the affected hedgehogs do not recover. Consequently, conservationists argue for a ban on lawnmowing in gardens from dusk until dawn to safeguard many animals, not just the hedgehogs.
It's worth noting that in Germany, specific regulations governing lawnmower usage during certain hours help protect wildlife habitats. As per the current laws, lawnmowing is only permitted from Monday to Saturday between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM. On Sundays and public holidays, mowing is prohibited. Moreover, the use of mowers lacking EU environmental labels is further restricted to weekdays, between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. These rules strive to minimize nighttime noise and habitat disturbance and are intended to benefit nocturnal wildlife, including hedgehogs. Additionally, during the plant protection period from March 1 to September 30, excessive cutting or trimming of trees, hedges, shrubs, or woody plants is prohibited under the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG). This regulation provides necessary habitats for various garden species, including hedgehogs, during their breeding and feeding seasons. Although no nationwide ban on lawnmower usage during nighttime hours explicitly focuses on hedgehog protection, existing rules implicitly address the issue by reducing disturbances and ensuring a more harmonious coexistence between garden maintenance and wildlife conservation.
- The increasing adoption of lawnmowing robots controlled via mobile applications has raised concerns, as many users set these robots to operate at night, posing a threat to nocturnal wildlife, especially hedgehogs, protected under conservation laws.
- Conservationists advocate for a ban on lawnmowing in gardens from dusk until dawn, not just to safeguard hedgehogs, but also to protect numerous other animals that may be impacted by such machinery.
- Existing regulations in Germany already aim to protect wildlife habitats, with specific laws limiting lawnmowing hours and prohibiting the use of mowers without EU environmental labels during certain times, navigating the delicate balance between aesthetic lawns and environmental conservation.
