Author Topic: [project] transforming a small ecosystem  (Read 24008 times)

Birna Rørslett

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #45 on: March 23, 2019, 09:52:47 »
Most of the species documented so nicely from this patch are annuals or short-lived perennials. Ecosystems move towards a "climax stage" if external conditions are approx. steady state. In this case the climax probably is a low-diversity vegetation cover in which Aegopodium predominates. Enhanced occurrence of many insects butterflies and snails is likely.

Frank Fremerey

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #46 on: March 23, 2019, 10:50:24 »
I hope snails will be in shorter supply and my effort to supress Aegopodium is successful. I'd like to encourage a balance of perennials and self seeding annuals with a higher diversity to attract bees and butterflies and birds nesting in the neighboring trees. Bushes are not a great idea because the high population of cats will probably kill all birds trying to nest there. I will also add an espalier of fruit on the south end to attract more birds and bees.
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Frank Fremerey

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #47 on: March 23, 2019, 10:54:00 »
Can I judge that your ecosystem has started to work as planned?  Nice to see the small lives starting to grow.  :)

ants and bees and butterflies and some beetles are starting to appear. My guess is that of the 80+ species I have sown only 15 to 20 have yet appeared, but many are later blooming, like summer or autumn
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Frank Fremerey

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #48 on: March 28, 2019, 11:33:23 »
two additiond from the frog perspective with a wide angle:
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Birna Rørslett

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #49 on: March 28, 2019, 11:43:31 »
Dandelions are a certain sign of an ecosystem with latent instability .... The Northern Dead-Nettle likewise.

Frank Fremerey

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #50 on: March 28, 2019, 12:17:44 »
Dandelions are a certain sign of an ecosystem with latent instability .... The Northern Dead-Nettle likewise.

My current task is to stabilize the system.

What would you recommend?

PS: My goal is to attract insects and birds
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Birna Rørslett

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #51 on: March 28, 2019, 12:22:20 »
Put a goat into the system.

Frank Fremerey

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #52 on: March 28, 2019, 12:23:50 »
Put a goat into the system.

ok. I try to find a "rent a goat" and fence the animal into my 30sqm. How long should it stay there?
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Birna Rørslett

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #53 on: March 28, 2019, 12:54:47 »
Until you eat it? The point is that a functional ecosystem needs a flow of energy and material through it with feedback loops. It cannot be stagnant. The arrow of time has to be unidirectional.

Frank Fremerey

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #54 on: March 28, 2019, 12:59:29 »
Until you eat it? The point is that a functional ecosystem needs a flow of energy and material through it with feedback loops. It cannot be stagnant. The arrow of time has to be unidirectional.

I do not think I will get a permit to keep a goat in the front garden...
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Fons Baerken

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #55 on: March 28, 2019, 13:11:57 »
You can mow it, whatever you do the vegetation will change into a monoculture, unless you culture your patch into a vegetable garden for instance.

Frank Fremerey

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #56 on: March 28, 2019, 13:17:13 »
You can mow it, whatever you do the vegetation will change into a monoculture, unless you culture your patch into a vegetable garden for instance.


mow & mulch

or

mow & take away the nutrients?


it has not been a monoculture before I took over and I did sow the seeds of 80+ species, why should a monoculture be set?
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Birna Rørslett

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #57 on: March 28, 2019, 13:19:08 »
Mow and remove. Once or twice a year.

You'll probably end up in a monooculture of Aegropodium anyway.

Frank Fremerey

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #58 on: March 28, 2019, 13:21:58 »
Mow and remove. Once or twice a year.

You'll probably end up in a monooculture of Aegropodium anyway.

currently Aegopodium is a minority. Esp where mustard is predominant. I plan to selectively uproot Aegopodium  whenever I see it.

Mow an remove? good.
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Birna Rørslett

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Re: [project] transforming a small ecosystem
« Reply #59 on: March 28, 2019, 13:32:59 »
Do *not* uproot it -- it'll just disperse even faster from the cut rhizome parts.