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Promotion of the Little Ringed Plover at Flachsee

Realized:

2019

performed by:

Naturnetz Mittelland

The Wehrenbachtobel, between Witikon and Zollikon, is an ecological pearl in the area of the city of Zurich. Between the mixed forests along the ravine, which have open areas and lots of dead wood, there are some wet slopes, which are replaced by dry meadows in the higher areas. The meadows are extensively managed, the forest edges are mostly graded and flooded with light. Due to the enormous structural diversity, the biodiversity is correspondingly high. For example, you can find the fire orchid ( Orchis ustulata ), dippers, grass snakes and yellow-bellied toads.

The civil servants from the Nature Network are responsible for maintenance in various areas on behalf of Green City Zurich. The work includes, for example, neophyte management, regular, extensive mowing, as well as sporadic improvement measures such as forest edge maintenance or the creation of amphibian ponds.

To ensure that the ecologically important meadows remain rich in species and do not become overgrown, they must be mown regularly. Before mowing, the volunteers remove all neophytes. Depending on the type of meadow, the grass is mown once or twice a year using a scythe mower and brush cutter, with 10-15% of the area being left as a retreat strip so that there is still a sufficient supply of food and retreat areas for small animals. After mowing, the cuttings are left for a few days so that small animals can move into the parts of the meadow that have been left standing and plant seeds can fall from the seed heads. Using hay rakes and forks, drag tarpaulins and cable winches, the volunteers collect the cuttings, load them up and transport them away in cooperation with local farmers.

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