Dry Meadows

Dry meadows and pastures are an extremely important habitat for maintaining biodiversity in Switzerland, and we must preserve them for ourselves and future generations. These so-called nutrient-poor grasslands cover about half a percent of the country’s surface.

Around half of all endangered plant species in Switzerland live in dry meadows. Of the 3,000 native plant species, 350 occur exclusively in dry meadows and pastures. Numerous fungi species can also be found in this species-rich habitat.

The colorful, fragrant sea of flowers is a paradise for insects. About 40 percent of Switzerland’s butterfly species depend directly on dry meadows. Among grasshoppers, there are many dry meadow specialists, such as the rare red-winged grasshopper. Additionally, these nutrient-rich meadows provide an ideal habitat for 615 different wild bee species. Wild bees are solitary insects and do not produce honey. In fact, honeybees, especially in the Swiss Plateau, are considered competitors of wild bees.

Dry meadows have developed over centuries of agricultural use without fertilization. Unfortunately, 95 percent of these unique biotopes have disappeared in recent decades. The management of dry meadows is extensive and must be adapted to local conditions. The areas are neither fertilized nor irrigated and are mowed once or twice a year, sometimes followed by autumn grazing. Regular management is essential for preserving biodiversity but can be very time- and labor-intensive depending on the location.

Brown Hare

The natural habitats of the brown hare are open, expansive landscapes such as meadows, fields, and hedgerows, where it finds shelter and food. Today, a large part of these landscapes has been sealed off and developed with residential buildings and roads. Agricultural land is often extensively planted with monocultures. As a result, the number of brown hares has declined significantly. The 2020 brown hare monitoring in Switzerland recorded 2.72 brown hares per 100 hectares (one square kilometer), only half as many as the year before.
Another reason for the decline in brown hare populations is the high mortality rate among leverets. Female brown hares create a nest or a shallow depression for their young and leave them alone during the day. They return once a day to nurse them. For the rest of the time, the young hares, which have not yet developed a flight instinct, are defenseless against predators and agricultural machinery.

Specific conservation measures for the brown hare include maintaining fallow land, flower strips, wild hedgerows, and sparsely planted grain fields. These gaps or corridors are known as “hare lanes”. Fallow land is not mowed, except for occasional maintenance cuts. Flower strips are mowed once a year, no earlier than autumn. The shrubs of wild hedgerows are pruned once a year, preferably in autumn.

Many other animal species with similar habitat needs, such as the skylark and the lapwing, also benefit from conservation measures for the brown hare.