Mowing of road verges for biogas production
Project overview
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Short summary
During the years 2023–2025, a project is being carried out in western Blekinge, where mowing takes place along minor state roads with a high occurrence of the invasive species lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus).
The purpose of the project is to limit the spread of lupine, while at the same time reducing the climate impact from mowing. By systematically removing the lupines, the conditions for meadow plants to re-establish in the area will improve.
The project is expected to result in at least 10,000 cubic meters of biogas, which is several times more than what is consumed by the measure itself. Moreover, by removing the lupines, the need for repeated ditch clearing will also be reduced. Another benefit is that the by-product of biogas production is a type of biofertilizer, which can be supplied to farms in the region.
The mowing is carried out by Svevia, contracted by the Swedish Transport Administration to maintain the roads in the Blekinge operating area. The project will be evaluated by researchers at the Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, and at the Department of Biosystems and Technology.
In a previous project during the years 2020–2023, trials were conducted with mowing of roadside vegetation in southern Skåne for biogas production.
Report from the previous project (in Swedish):