Practical measures to increase biodiversity on golf courses

Summary

Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse are major future threats to humanity. The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 proposes a more holistic approach to biodiversity policy. Protecting and restoring nature cannot achieved by regulation and must include all actors in the peri-urban and rural landscape. Golf courses could help protect biological diversity, conserve na­tural and cultural environments and retain and enhance ecosystem services in peri-urban areas and the cultivated landscape.

The project is testing measures to promote biodiversity that are adapted to each golf club’s con­ditions, e.g. it aims to benefit insects by creating flower-rich soils with exposed sand. The various measures and maintenance efforts can be adapted to golf course anywhere in the area, region or country. The goal is to show improved flora and insect diversity on the golf courses by final inventories in 2023.

Individual action plans have been drawn up for five golf courses; Falkenbergs GC, Ullared Flädje GC, Harabäckens GC, Hofgårds GC and Vinbergs GC. Basic inventory, field visits and maintenance planning were carried out on all in 2022 and individual plans have been implemented in practice. In autumn 2022, each facility was revisited to review the season, and individual care plans were updated for 2023. The Swedish Golf Federation and golf club staff were consulted to ensure that the action plan proposals can be coordinated with the game itself. 

The action plans describe what, where and when measures for biological diversity can be applied on a course, estimated time required and costs. Examples are:

• Grass surfaces burnt off (Hofgårds GC, Harabäckens GC)
• Grass surfaces cut and material removed (Hofgårds GC, Harabäckens GC). A challenge encountered is disposing of the grass material in an economically and environmentally viable way.
• Sand areas produced by excavating and/or supplying sand to support seeding and establish new meadow plants that help pollinating insects (Falkenbergs GC, Ullared Flädje GC, Vinbergs GC)
• Larger solitary trees and brow environments revealed by thinning and clearing (Falkenbergs GC, Hofgårds GC)
• Parts of bunkers managed and adjusted so that certain insects can find sites to live in edge zones (Hofgårds GC)
• Information material and signs produced for all clubs and their different habitat types.

Fundings (kSEK)

Project objectives

• To develop a model for local collabo­ration between golf clubs, municipalities and other actors in the community, with the aim of creating rich plant and animal life.
  
  
• To improve biodiversity on golf cour­ses through increased knowledge of how different measures and course mainte­nance routines can contribute to creating rich plant life and wildlife.
  
  
• To study the effects of different care routines to increase the number of pollinating insects and the playability of golf course roughs.
  
  
• To evaluate how different care routi­nes benefit specific insect species.
  
  
• To spread knowledge and experience to golf clubs, municipalities and other organisations in society nationally and internationally.

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