Urban meadows promote biodiversity

The promotion of urban biodiversity continues in Rauma. There are about ten meadows maintained by the city’s Green Services. These meadows, varying in size and origin, are located throughout the city. The city of Rauma is also participating in a study by the Finnish Environment Institute on the impact of new meadows on pollinators’ habitats in urban and suburban areas.

According to the study, various meadows are crucial habitats for many flowering plants and pollinating insects. Even small patches of meadows significantly improve the living conditions of meadow plants and pollinators in densely built environments.

The study highlights three meadow sites in Rauma, located on Iltasenkatu, Kanavakatu, and Köydenpunojankatu. The Kanavakatu site was established in May this year in collaboration with the Maritime Historical Society, with a theme focusing on maritime plants, including ballast plants. This week, grazing also began at Merimuseonmäki, one of the Green Service’s maintenance sites aimed at enhancing biodiversity.

“The area was previously maintained with annual mowing, leaving the clippings behind. Each mowing increased the nutrient level in the slope, leading to changes in vegetation – flowering meadow plants could no longer compete. Now, sheep are grazing the vegetation, reducing the nutrient levels and giving flowering meadow plants room to thrive,” says park supervisor Päivi Luotonen.

Established urban meadows are also located on Paroalhonkatu, in the courtyard of the city hall, on the mound opposite Pyyrman on Valtakatu, at the weather station in Pyynpää, and at the former city garden, where grazing also began in 2023.

“Urban meadows have been established in Rauma since 2021. An inclusive approach has been considered important, especially when changes in maintenance or the establishment of meadows are related to the immediate surroundings of residents,” says Luotonen.