Here on The Howe we’ve often been asked why, when we chop down trees or trim back scrub, we don’t tidy up afterwards. And why, we leave logs and cuttings around in piles rather than removing them – or having bonfires. We also occasionally hear of visitors who are concerned about our not mowing and strimming all of the grassy areas. And we appreciate that leaving sections of the grass to grow long, not strimming patches of weeds or leaving rotting logs around the land can be thought of as a sign of neglect.
Well, it’s not because we’ve missed a bit, or are being lazy. There are sound ecological reasons for our land management approach – so we thought we’d share some of them here in this blog!
Our Mission
Here at The Howe we aim to manage the land both for biodiversity, and the enjoyment of the people of Wheatley. Our mission is to create an accessible green, but primarily “Countryside Space” for everyone to enjoy, while also doing our bit to help nature.
In essence, we are trying to do this by introducing new habitats (such as creating 3 new ponds, and planting nature-valuable trees and new lines of native hedgerows), while also doing everything we can to improve those that already exist (such as our mature hedges, copses and grassland). In doing so, we want to add to the diversity of species of trees, plants and native grasses and flowers on The Howe, and in turn create the conditions for a much wider variety (and greater number) of insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians and other species to flourish.
Biodiversity is in Freefall
Sadly, the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. The Government’s recent State of Nature (SON) 2023 Report’s data showed that since 1970 UK species have declined by about a fifth on average, and nearly 1 in 6 of our species are now threatened with extinction. This is a timely reminder, if we needed it, that the nature crisis isn’t restricted to far-off places like the Amazon or Great Barrier Reef. It is right here, on our doorstep. We are rapidly losing familiar wildlife that we cherish including the hazel dormouse and skylark.
What can we do to help? Well, the link between tidiness in gardens, farmland and community spaces and biodiversity decline is increasingly recognized in environmental science and conservation studies. Put bluntly if we’re all too tidy it can lead to a whole series of negative results for nature!
1. A Loss of Habitat/Shelter
Highly managed spaces often lack the variety of plants that provide diverse habitats for insects, birds, and other wildlife. Mowing, strimming (or intensively grazing) grass and field or hedge margins can remove the natural shelters (e.g., tall grasses, dead wood, and fallen leaves) that are essential for insects, amphibians, small mammals and other species to survive. It disrupts wildlife, especially for species that rely on tall grasses for shelter or nesting. By leaving the grass to become more tufty, these species are given a stable environment to thrive and reproduce without constant disturbance.
Tall grass, offers a valuable natural refuge for many small insects, such as grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, butterflies and moths. These creatures rely on dense vegetation for protection from predators and weather conditions. Green areas without such features lack hiding spaces for these creatures, thus reducing the overall biodiversity. And this of course creates a negative chain reaction – as fewer insects, or invertebrates such as worms or slugs, mean less food for birds and other animals such as Woodpeckers, Dormice or Hedgehogs.
2. A Decline in Food Sources
Neat, tidy green spaces can look attractive, but if all spaces were managed this way it would lead to a lack in the diverse flowering plants needed to support pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other insects. Insects are critical for pollination, decomposition, and as a food source for other animals. Native wildflowers and grasses, which are often not particularly pretty, provide crucial nectar and pollen for these species. Removing plant species that are viewed as “weeds” can remove the habitats that insects rely on. Cutting back wildflower patches or removing long grass can eliminate key food sources and breeding grounds for beneficial insects which help control pests naturally. For example, ladybirds, spiders, and predatory beetles are drawn to untidy spaces, where they help keep harmful pests in check. A boon for the allotment holders on The Howe!
3. Decreased Resilience
Green spaces that are too manicured may also lack resilience to changes in climate. Closely mowed or intensively grazed grass might not be as resistant to pests or the extreme hot weather we’re increasingly experiencing, as more diverse, naturally evolved ecosystems. By letting some areas grow woolier and a little wilder, you encourage ecological processes like natural seed dispersal and water management. Plants that are left to self-seed can help by filling gaps and stabilizing the soil. Longer grass can also help keep the air cool around young, newly planted trees.
A Balanced Approach to Weeds
Often “weeds” are viewed as plants that should be eradicated. But many “weeds” are actually vital for wildlife. For example nettles are a crucial food source and breeding place for many species of caterpillars, particularly the caterpillars of butterflies like the Red Admiral and the Peacock. Nettles also attract various other insects, including aphids, which in turn attract insectivorous birds and its dense growth provides shelter for small animals.
Likewise, the seeds of thistles are a vital food source for birds like goldfinches, who are specially adapted to feed on them. While thistles spread and so must be carefully controlled (we cut most of it back each summer) they do provide nesting sites for small birds, and their dense growth offers shelter for insects and other small animals.
Another much maligned plant species is ragwort. Ragwort is generally considered bad due to its toxicity to livestock, although it’s very bitter and horses will not eat it unless it is in fed to them in a dried form ie. in hay. It’s true that, like thistles, it does require close management. But it does have some major ecological benefits so we take a balanced approach – some plants are retained for nature, but we also pull it to prevent spreading out of control. Ragwort serves as a host plant for over 40 species of insects, including being the main food source for the cinnabar moth. The image used for this blog shows an orange and black striped cinnabar moth caterpillar on a ragwort plant on The Howe this summer. Its flowers also have a prolonged flowering period and are therefore an important source of nectar throughout the summer in grassland areas for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
In Summary
Here on The Howe we follow the modern naturalistic land management methods recommended by ecologists and DEFRA. We work in partnership with and take advice from organisations with the same aims as us – such as The Wildlife Trust, Plantlife and Wild Oxfordshire.
Having a balanced approach – such as allowing plants to grow more freely, creating wildflower and natural plant areas, or leaving areas seemingly untended with netttles, decaying wood or leaf litter, promotes biodiversity by creatings the conditions required for wildlife of all types to flourish.
These practices encourage a wider range of species to inhabit our green spaces, including beneficial insects, birds, and small mammals. By integrating elements like ponds, insect hotels, log piles, native trees and plants we hope to attract more diverse wildlife that can help conserve biodiversity for Wheatley resident to enjoy for years to come.
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