Impact of Lawn Maintenance on Insect and Plant Biodiversity (2023)

This study examines the impact of mowing on plant and insect biodiversity on SUNY Potsdam’s campus. With 40 million acres of maintained lawn in the US, this research highlights the negative consequences of constant maintenance, such as the excessive use of water, fossil fuels, and pesticides. The study established two mow and two low-mow plots in two locations on campus. Plant and insect species richness and individual abundance were measured by sampling each plant species and using sweep nets for insects. Preliminary results indicate that insect order richness and individual abundance were higher in low-mow plots, supporting the hypothesis. Contrary to expectations, plant species richness was higher in mowed plots. This ongoing project provides a foundation of data for SUNY Potsdam to consider reducing the area of mowed lawn on campus, which could have a positive impact on biodiversity and reduce environmental impact.