A colorful verge for biodiversity

A colorful verge makes an important contribution to Dutch biodiversity. The Butterfly Foundation is trying to make site managers aware of the value of colorful verges.

Since the German study in 2017 it has been clear that we have a biodiversity problem. The roadside deserves our attention. "Properly managed, the endless ribbons can provide the permeation of the landscape. If you don't, the system is less robust and susceptible to disruption from, for example, the oak processionary caterpillar," says Antonie Stip of the Butterfly Foundation. A colorful verge is teeming with natural enemies of the oak processionary caterpillar, lacewings, parasitic wasps and ants, among others. "Due to large-scale, intensive management, the habitat of natural enemies of the oak processionary caterpillar, among others, has become increasingly smaller." An important, but also easy trick for a berm full of insects is mowing late in the summer. This gives the plants time to make enough seeds, allowing them to reappear in large numbers the following year. Unfortunately, this does not happen in many places (yet).

Berms Colour Mark

The Butterfly Foundation devised the Color Mark label. With an index from 1 to 5, roadsides are judged on the number of plants and insects. Also contractors are slowly adopting the index, so they can ensure that the verge index can be increased.

More background information? Read theinterview with Anthonie Stip by the Butterfly Foundation.

Sources: De Volkskrant, De Vlinderstichting