Landscape Lighting Impact on Wildlife
Landscape lighting can warm a winter landscape, highlight the form and structure of trees and provide security to our homes. High levels of artificial light at night also impact the natural cycles of plants, animals and insects.
Research led by scientists at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles found the blue and white spectrums of LED lights were more disruptive to sensitive species than the yellow-greens and ambers.
Some of the bright blues and white mimic midday sun and are three to five times more disruptive than the greens, yellow and amber. This impacts a variety of processes including migration and pollination by night flying insects like moths.
Researches are encouraging policy makers, communities and businesses to select lights that balance the needs of people with the impact on wildlife.
A bit more information: This research resulted in a database of several dozen artificial lights and their impact on wildlife. For more details on this topic visit the USC website.
Related
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
April 3, 2024
Garden Trends
Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI
April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now
April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now
April 17, 2024
Landscaping for Birds:
A Gardener’s Perspective
Glendale, WI
April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now
April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL
April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI
April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now
May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More