Leaf your Litter!

[Wild-Woman]

I read an interesting article in the BTO Jan/Feb issue. The discovery was that there had been a worrying decline in the blackbird population, in certain London green spaces and it is thought that a contributing factor may be the removal of leaf litter in the autumn. This leaf litter which is referred to in the article as the 'fermentation layer' is where worm and invertebrates are doing what they are meant to do, recycling the leaves. In taking this layer, the population of inverts, which feed the leaf turning blackbirds, shrinks.
This makes sense to me. There are other factors which are being studied but something as simple as this does seem a possibility.
So perhaps a lesson to those who keep their gardens super-neat could be learnt here and leaving the leaves alone should be considered for the sake of of our blackbirds and other birds that hunt amongst them.

[htcdude]

Similar to this one:

http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/li...hing-away.html

?

Nige

[healfdan]

Parks and garden management sensitive to the needs of wildlife will already be aware of the benefits of leaving leaves to decay naturally. Unfortunately in some small London parks, especially those with recreational facilities which bring in revenue, the sub contracted labour used has to produce results which often means maintaining a tidy appearance by sweeping or vacuuming the annual leaf fall. Accumulated wet leaves from London Plane, Maples, American oaks and of course a variety of conifers can be damaging on recreational grass and be very slippery underfoot when covering hard surfaces. A compromise can be reached where conditions allow and some contractors will blow these leaves into scrub areas but this is a pointless exercise if the next high wind scatters them again. Thank goodness that Londons' Commons have no such restrictions and continue to attract a wealth of birds and other wildlife.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by healfdan

Parks and garden management sensitive to the needs of wildlife will already be aware of the benefits of leaving leaves to decay naturally. Unfortunately in some small London parks, especially those with recreational facilities which bring in revenue, the sub contracted labour used has to produce results which often means maintaining a tidy appearance by sweeping or vacuuming the annual leaf fall. .......

Yes, the days of neatly groomed beds have largely disappeared along with the old gardeners who were brought up to clear away any dead plant matter. As you say, this has not reached contractors (commonly using unskilled labour); neither has it, unfortunately, reached most of the general public and local politicians who regard dead leaf and wood as the same as *cD*nalds wrappers! Sadly, this also applies to many well-minded volunteers who form 'clean-up squads'.

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by htcdude

Similar to this one:

http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/li...hing-away.html

?

Nige

Good site Nige thanks.

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by healfdan

Parks and garden management sensitive to the needs of wildlife will already be aware of the benefits of leaving leaves to decay naturally. Unfortunately in some small London parks, especially those with recreational facilities which bring in revenue, the sub contracted labour used has to produce results which often means maintaining a tidy appearance by sweeping or vacuuming the annual leaf fall. Accumulated wet leaves from London Plane, Maples, American oaks and of course a variety of conifers can be damaging on recreational grass and be very slippery underfoot when covering hard surfaces. A compromise can be reached where conditions allow and some contractors will blow these leaves into scrub areas but this is a pointless exercise if the next high wind scatters them again. Thank goodness that Londons' Commons have no such restrictions and continue to attract a wealth of birds and other wildlife.

It wouldn't be a problem if the litter was left under flower beds. It would also be good if there was interpretation regarding leaf litter and its benefits. An explanation as to why an area has been left would educate those new to gardening.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Yes, the days of neatly groomed beds have largely disappeared along with the old gardeners who were brought up to clear away any dead plant matter. As you say, this has not reached contractors (commonly using unskilled labour); neither has it, unfortunately, reached most of the general public and local politicians who regard dead leaf and wood as the same as *cD*nalds wrappers! Sadly, this also applies to many well-minded volunteers who form 'clean-up squads'.

I don't think it's fair to blame the contractors or their labour force as they are only carrying out tasks that they have been employed to do + paid for. It is the people who employ contactors- the council departments who need to be enlightened + instruct their contractors to leave the fallen leaves in areas such as shrubberies, wild areas + remove them just from hardcore areas, formal beds + lawns.