GC Würzburg: nutrient-poor grassland is gaining in importance
The name is deceptive: nutrient-poor grassland sounds like barrenness, emptiness, little color. The opposite is the case. Anyone who these days, for example, about the golf course of the GC Würzburg runs where Headgreenkeeper Marius Cazan has been trying to create nutrient-poor grass areas for years and states: The variety of plants in nutrient-poor grass areas is enormous, and even if the flowering splendor is not as intense as in flower meadows specially created for this purpose, small orchids such as the orchid impress with their colors . “We have burnet, orchid, thyme, potato cloves and much more,” Cazan enthuses a little about his natural areas. He now tends a total of two hectares of land at the Würzburg facility in such a way that it can become nutrient-poor grassland over the long term.
“It works better in some places, but it takes longer in others,” is his experience. “The types of soil on our facility are very different. Sandy areas will turn into nutrient-poor grass more quickly, others are not that far along.” The surfaces are not particularly complex to look after. “Actually, we don’t do much with it,” he sums up. “We mow once a year in the fall and of course clear away the grass.” However, in recent years great importance has been attached to better networking the valuable areas with one another.
Although at the GC Würzburg, which unifies the Leading Golf Clubs of Germany counts and within the framework of “Golf and Nature” is certified with gold, the issue of landscape and environmental protection played an important role in the construction of the facility back in 1994, because the golf course borders on a landscape protection area, the area that can be used for nutrient-poor grass areas is 56 hectares in total rather low. However, Cazan, who was already on site when the golf course was built, notes that golfers’ perceptions have changed over the years. “Of course, many players don’t notice the small herbs or ferns, but we try to bring the topic up in the newsletter and keep golfers aware of these areas and the variety of species.” Appreciation has grown over the years, also because the nutrient-poor and dry grass meadows now attract numerous butterflies. The local group of the Bund Naturschutz (Bund Naturschutz) now also uses the site for guided tours. On closer inspection, the nutrient-poor grassland habitat turns out to be extremely diverse.
Information and tips on the subject of nutrient-poor grassland:
- Dry grassland is not a synonym for nutrient-poor grassland, but a type of nutrient-poor grassland whose lack of nutrients is due to severe drought.
- Other nutrient-poor grassland types are, for example: semi-arid grassland, sandy grassland, steppe grassland, mat grass and heath.
- Poor grasslands are characterized by low-growing, herbaceous plants, between which open ground is usually visible.
- They develop in warm, nutrient-poor and mostly dry locations. The ability of the soil to drain water also plays an important role.
- Typical nutrient-poor grassland plants are often drought-resistant and are considered true hunger artists.
- Classic plants in nutrient-poor grass areas are: violet salsify, meadow sage, orchid, feather grass, meadowsweet.
- The numerous plants ensure a large supply of food, which attracts the following animals, for example: oil beetle, gray sand bee, bombardier beetle, blue-winged grasshopper,
