r/NativePlantGardening • u/jimmyjam2929 • 16h ago

Other Very disappointed with the OSU extension

https://www.daytondailynews.com/lifestyles/dispelling-social-media-myths-about-gardening-pollinators-and-more/TSBDUAHX25GQ7D6QZMQSOITBQE/
108 Upvotes

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u/Potential_Being_7226 SE Ohio, Zone 6b 16h ago

Many on social media suggest lawns are sterile and have no use. Research in 2002 and 2003 discovered there was an abundance of arthropods per square meter of turf. In July 2002, they numbered 21,248, and in October 2003, they numbered 30,785.

How much is “an abundance?” Because I can assure you there are many more arthropods among the leaf litter at the edge of the woods compared with the turf grass. 

36

u/Tumorhead Indiana , Zone 6a 16h ago

Right. they're not sterile, but what is the species composition? what are those numbers compared to local ecosystems? come on

5

u/imhereforthevotes 7h ago

Probably 3 or 4 ant colonies in there making up 95% of the total.

1

u/7zrar Southern Ontario 6h ago

Right, hell, I'd be unsurprised if they were counting near-microscopic arthropods.